pathway to pro...

electricpeak7
electricpeak7 Posts: 9
edited February 2008 in Road beginners
I've been wondering this a lot recently - how does one become a pro cyclist and ride for a pro team? Seriously though, I feel like I have a lot of potential and I am genuinely considering this. I'm 20 now and in college but lately I've been dedicating a lot more time on the roads cycling. Although I'm relatively new to road, I've been biking for quite a while and am sure it's what I want to be doing all the time.

So, what does it take to become pro? I'm guessing it includes participating and winning as many local races as possible and going up through the levels. I just read about the Hincapie development team article and would like to give something like that a try but am not sure where to start or how to find such a program.

Thanks for any ideas! Maybe this is everyone's dream as well, but I'm looking for any advice I can take.

Comments

  • Bugly
    Bugly Posts: 520
    firstly get a racing license, win local races and get selected to a regioanal team. Impress at the nationals - get selected for the national team. Get spotted by a talent scout. 20 years old - not much of a chance you need to have had years of experience racing - knowing how to ride in bunches, bike handleing skills, tactics.

    Dont want to turn you off but its a big ask
  • electricpeak7
    electricpeak7 Posts: 9
    Thanks for the reply :). I'm extremely excited/optimistic about this, and I realize it's a big task ahead of me but it's something I really want to pursue.

    I know there's not a magical secret, so right now I'm just looking for everyone's advice and knowledge.
  • Felix-da-house-mouse
    Felix-da-house-mouse Posts: 801
    the biggest single thing is dedication, its no longer a past time/hobbie everything you do, cycling has to be taken into equation. I suggest you buy "In search of Robert Miller" and read that. i'm reading that just now and it tells exactly how he did it good read as well.
    felix's bike

    pedal like you stole something!!!
  • Gussio
    Gussio Posts: 2,452
    Learn how to dope without getting caught, or is that too cynical of me?
  • synchronicity
    synchronicity Posts: 1,415
    Something slightly more optimistic... I remember that an Australian olympic sprinter, Sean Eadie, who used to live in a neighbouring suburb of mine (Como), said it only takes 6 months to physically prepare for competition. He actually is a local school teacher and managed to compete at international level.

    Here's an interview:
    http://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/2002/ ... eaneadie02

    It's something I used to dream about too. I probably should have just gone for it instead of being full of self-doubt. I always thought I had started too late to be competitive, even as young as 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27... you get the idea. But I see that a lot of pro cyclists are in their 30s. Some olympians even compete up until 36.

    I'd say go for it. You won't know if you don't try and give it your best shot.
    vertebr.ae | precision braking & shifting
  • Salsiccia
    Salsiccia Posts: 405
    Didn't Tony Rominger only start cycling seriously at the age of 25? Yes, I know he is not exactly whiter-than-white but he had ability.
    I was only joking when I said
    by rights you should be bludgeoned in your bed
  • electricpeak7
    electricpeak7 Posts: 9
    synchonicity - I like what you said... there's really no reason not to try and give it my best if it's something I am passionate about.

    I'll have to take a look at the Robert Millar book, too.

    Thanks for the replies everyone, I enjoy reading them for even more motivation!
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    Good luck with it, mate - give it a go and see how you do in the lower ranks first - success at a lower level is likely to inspire and motivate you further.
  • ColinJ
    ColinJ Posts: 2,218
    Ludo Dierckxsens turned pro at the ripe old age of 30! He was working as a paint sprayer at the DAF truck factory before that. In his career he won a stage of the Tour de France and became Belgian road race champion. He retired at the age of 41.
  • synchronicity
    synchronicity Posts: 1,415
    Also have a look here.
    http://www.iht.com/articles/2004/08/26/t18_6.php

    IMHO Competing and actually winning are a different kettle of fish altogether. What turned me off was seeing cyclists in the tour de france, racing in the rain.

    There are heaps of important races besides the tdf... don't let that one scare you away! :wink:

    One of my former uni class mates was an olympic rower for the Aussie team... it was so funny to see him when he stopped his training for 1 or two weeks of the year. He went into the canteen and bough a snickers, a mars, and about 3 other chocolate bars and just gouged into them all ! hehehe

    The thought of having to make so many sacrifices was -and still is- enough to turn me off. Also the thought of crashing and continuing to race... :shock:
    vertebr.ae | precision braking & shifting
  • electricpeak7
    electricpeak7 Posts: 9
    Weather to me makes the sport a lot more interesting and challenging. Having to fight the wind and rain on a ride makes a nice mild day with the right wind conditions all the better.

    I'm in Hawaii for the spring semester and thought I'd have perfect riding conditions every single day... turns out that hasn't been true. First week was perfect, second and third weeks have been windy and rainy for the most part. Better than back home in cold and snowy Pennsylvania though.
  • Bugly
    Bugly Posts: 520
    Well its time for you to get off the PC join a club and start getting those LSD rides in as spring approaches. Its a hard slog to get to the point were you walk the walk

    Best wishes

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