XC World Cup - why do we suck so much?

-YETI-

-YETI-

Active Member
I've enjoyed watching the XC World Cup series on http://www.redbull.com/us/en/bike/mtb/videos (most races still available for replay).

While watching it, I was struck by how poor the US men are in these races (note - US women are much better placed). In the final race, the top placed US male was 36- and this is a higher finish than most of the other races.

On the road, track and cyclocross (at least as of late) the US men typically have strong performances and can even compete for the win. Why do you think this is? Why aren't we competitive?
 
Since when are we successful in World Cup cyclocross?

There is more money in the other disciplines, so that is one thing....

The simple fact is that other cycling countries start their kids way young and build form over years and years and the fields are deep. Most people who show any kind promise are sucked into the other disciples because you can actually make a career is it. You will see a lot of Mtb pros win on the national level and then switch to road or cross.
 
stb222 said:
Since when are we successful in World Cup cyclocross?

There is more money in the other disciplines, so that is one thing....

The simple fact is that other cycling countries start their kids way young and build form over years and years and the fields are deep. Most people who show any kind promise are sucked into the other disciples because you can actually make a career is it. You will see a lot of Mtb pros win on the national level and then switch to road or cross.
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That's a great point about switching over for $$. It's worked out quite well for riders like Cadel Evans and Sagan- can't blame Americans for doing the same.

I can't imagine downhill has more $$ in it than XC- but I know nothing about that discipline. I'll have to check out the DH race footage...
 
-YETI- said:
I've enjoyed watching the XC World Cup series on http://www.redbull.com/us/en/bike/mtb/videos (most races still available for replay).

While watching it, I was struck by how poor the US men are in these races (note - US women are much better placed). In the final race, the top placed US male was 36- and this is a higher finish than most of the other races.

On the road, track and cyclocross (at least as of late) the US men typically have strong performances and can even compete for the win. Why do you think this is? Why aren't we competitive?
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Because XC is the sport for washed-up roadies, and there are more washed-up roadies in other countries.
 
Monkey Soup said:
Because XC is the sport for washed-up roadies, and there are more washed-up roadies in other countries.
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Haha, they usually go to road and don't come back.

There isn't much money in any Mtb racing and probably less than 50 people currently make a well paying job out of it. Either way, you are done by your 40s in any discipline unless you are a legend
 
What does the average pro make anyways in any of the bike disciplines? Sure there's a huge drop off after the top 20. At whistler I saw the 6th ranked trials rider demo'in tricks and even jumped off a crappy black school bus on to coke can. Really impressive stuff. Saw him two days later driving southbound in the same bus.

Thing is he's still getting to ride but probably not getting rich anytime soon
 
qclabrat said:
What does the average pro make anyways in any of the bike disciplines? Sure there's a huge drop off after the top 20. At whistler I saw the 6th ranked trials rider demo'in tricks and even jumped off a crappy black school bus on to coke can. Really impressive stuff. Saw him two days later driving southbound in the same bus.

Thing is he's still getting to ride but probably not getting rich anytime soon
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There is no average and your right about a huge drop off in salary. The grunt work guys may be lucky to make 35,000-50,000 euro and the mid level guys maybe 100,000.

Read Phil gaimons book to get an idea, US pros may make 35,000 if you made it. Depending on the team you will get travel and hotels too. But if you are young and unattached, can't really beat riding for a living and traveling around the country, it is just there isn't much future in it unless you successfully transition to the team management/support side of it.
 
The US Juniors are really making waves right now with Bjorn Riley and Riley Amos in XC and Asa Vermette in DH.

Women DH, tho... not sure what the US can do there. Some talented riders, for sure, but none have been competitive on the world stage.
 
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