How to become a pro on the continent

[De Rosa]

You have an 18 year old son. He is a good cyclist and until now he has had a go at everything. He is like a male version of Nicole Cooke a few years ago - you name it, he does it - track, cyclo cross, mountain biking and circuit racing. A talented young man. And you are his parent and you want the best for him. You want him to achieve something in his chosen sport and you would love him to win an Olympic medal - even gold perhaps! Doping stories scare the hell out of you. You also want him to enjoy his life in cycling and, as much as possible have a balanced lifestyle that he will look back on with pleasure.

He is not entirely sure what he wants as he seems to want everything. He wants Olympic Gold, to win the Tour de France and to be a top climber as well as win prologues!

Amazingly this boy listens to you. And you have discussed three options he can follow and he promises to listen to what you suggest.

You can offer him three options:

1. The WCPP team are after him and have suggested he join the Under 23 academy and train primarily for the track and then follow it on with a spell with Sparkasse in Germany to see if he has the makings of a top roadman, sharing a flat with Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas. (Don't let that put you off - they are OK when you meet them). Your son speaks a little German and enjoys sausages.

2. The Dave Rayner selection committee have let you know informally that a request for Rayner funding would be met by them and they would not only help him financially but set him up with a team in the south of France. He may be living on his own or perhaps with a couple of Polish riders but he will be taken to races and his accommodation will be paid for. Your son speaks a little French.

3. Pierre Head has pm'd you and said he is prepared to coach your lad. He can stay living at home for the time being but needs to genuinely listen to what he is being asked to do and it will be hard work. After a period of time, Pierre will arrange for him to stay with a "cycling family" in France where he will be well looked after and treated as a real friend of the family. The family is well connected in cycling circles at a regional level as the father of the family used to race in top regional events in Brittany.

What would you recommend and which is most likely to meet the aspirations of primarily, your son but almost as importantly, you as a concerned but loving parent.

Vote and Discuss.

[marlboro man]

If he wants to be a top climber then perhaps he should follow the Rayner route. Otherwise, he should aim to get on the WCPP
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"so if MM wants to suck down 16mg unfiltered tar-laden cancer-causing , he will! And by God, he'll enjoy it... not to mention chasing nubile Estonian tail whilst off his opps on cheap and savage Baltic charlie...! " Colin Sturgess

[De Rosa]

[marlboro man]

[De Rosa]

[Dave Griffiths]

This 'theoretical' young rider certainly is in a very strong position, on paper, but, not knowing what he wants is a big minus. For a few young and promising riders, I'd say the PH or French Club route would be the best BUT, given the choice of ALL the options (if such riders exist) then I would recommend the WCCP programme. Seeing how 'some' of the guys who've been on it, perform, it does seem to provide a fabulous base. They look to be cared for very well, taught all these invaluable track skills and regularly 'come up against' top opposition in differing spheres of cycling. If you can't 'make your mind up' or 'have it made for you' after two or three years of that, well.

[De Rosa]

[Roy Gardiner]

Speaking from a parent's view - I can't judge the cycling issues - it'd be easily 3, then 1 and 2 a good way behind.

With option 3 his life would be organised for him, all he'd do is ride his bike; shades of Sean Kelly? A new 2nd family? And as a very cycling savvy family he'd have all the advantages and help that provides. And PH, having been there, done that, would be invaluable.

Option 1 is three young blokes together - but proper cyclists, so he'd at least have some help, and someone to talk to.

Option 2 is in at the deep end. Although it's paid for, he's got to look after himself. Bad news.
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"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong." H. L. Mencken

"Everything in war is simple, but the simplest thing is difficult." Carl Von Clausewitz

[joxster]

I went down the PH route

I went over to Dijon when I was 16 and raced for a club as a trial, if I did well I was invited back and was put in the care of a family.

I spent some very good years in Dijon, made some very good friends and there is nothing I wouldn't change. During my trial period I won 6 races and was invited back. I then spent the next couple of seasons being coached by Bernard Thevenet and was offered a position with the System U squad. After speaking with Bernard, Regis Clere(sp??) and Pascal Simon, I turned it down and asked to be considered the following year. Again I turned it down as I felt I wasn't ready to turn pro.
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When offered the choice between the path of Desire and the path of Virtue I chose the path marked Diversion.

Programming is like 5ex, one mistake and you have to support it for life.

[mhgregor]

How about you let him make his own choices...but insist he gets a proper education at the same time that will last beyond his days as an athlete, a back up in case that athletic potential never realises itself.

There is a mental component to any athlete that at the age of 18 will not have been tested, even if physically he has all the attributes.

The PH route is the only one that would allow him to complete both objectives...and you can be there for him as he grows and help alter his course if he needs to. Two of your options will still be open later if he takes option 3.

[Billy Boy]

Is his name Jan?
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"Eating is not for wimps" - coal miner

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[Will Scarlet]

The 18 year old would stand little chance of getting on the U23 academy unless he'd already been on the Olympic Development Programme. The thinking nowadays seems to be if you're not good enough at 16, you'll never be good enough. Though the door is theoretically open for late developers, in practice it isn't because of the back up that the ODP riders are getting, you'll never catch them up. Good for those that are on it, but if you're the 10th best junior pursuiter in the country, you simply won't have the opportunity to take route 1. How good you are at road racing and cyclo cross is not relevant - it's the track that matters.

[Pierre Head]

[Bob J]

[Dave Wilkes]

I'd say the Pierre route ( and I still don't know who he is ) . The Pierre route will be tougher, but a rider needs results to get on the plan and UK events don't mean diddly. You have to go to the Continent to ride the events that Plan riders target. Catch 22 for someone with potential but nothing to show yet. Plus you can work closely with his coach on his development.
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The starting point of all achievement is Desire.
Napoleon Hill

[Matteo]

[joxster]

[Will Scarlet]

I think the poll is a no brainer really.

In the unlikely event that someone not already on the ODP was offered a place on the U23 academy, does anyone really think they would turn it down? The academy seems to be a fast track to stardom. You'd have to have unshakeable belief in your ability to make it to being a top pro via the other routes.

[Mossy]

If cycling becomes his job what will he do for a hobby?
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Aoccdrnig to rscheearch at
Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod
are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the
rghit pclae.

[De Rosa]