Thoughts on Cycling Ireland Offroad Commission Decision To Not Allow Riders To Race Cyclocross World Championships

Thoughts on CI statement

As a young, ambitious rider, it is somewhat dangerous for me to write anything. It may mean fewer racing opportunities for me, I could be rubbing the right people up the wrong way, but hopefully I can write this to be constructive and thought provoking. Hopefully they can be mature enough to understand my perspective, and their decision is strong enough to defend.

I do believe that this could have been handled better, and am prepared to stand up for that. These are my thoughts, I’m not saying they’re right or wrong, I’m not arguing for the sake of arguing, I’m absolutely open to being proven/reasoned wrong, if I’m shot down because I haven’t considered some things, so be it, but if I don’t speak my mind, how will I ever learn or progress it?

No Irish flegs this year

I love Cyclocross, not just because it is incredibly enjoyable and rewarding, but because it offers so much as a sport. In Ireland, we have the perfect terrain and conditions for it, there is no reason why we can’t be as good as Belgium or Holland, and every reason why we should be better than Denmark, Norway, Canada, Japan… the list goes on. Cyclocross is the perfect way to bring youth into cycling no matter what discipline they go on to do. Short, easily supervised races, incredibly safe, spectator friendly, no need for expensive equipment to begin, training can be done anywhere in the country where there’s mud… Compare this to any other discipline. Even if it is about funding and medals at Olympics, how’s that working out so far? We need kids on and enjoying bikes in order to develop them. 

I have so much respect for Martin Grimley, the Offroad Commission and their ‘work’ within Cycling Ireland. ‘Work’, as they’re volunteers, which makes what they do all the more amazing. An incredible amount of time and effort into keeping our sport running. They’re intelligent people, and obviously this is a big decision, and they knew the consequences, so we must respect this.

These people are voted in to these positions to make these decisions, and they are their decisions to make.

However, I think when they’re made, they must be explained fully and rationally, especially when they’re contrary to what most people would like, as evidenced through the reactions across the Cyclocross community.

I disagree with the decision, so I’d like to state my opinion, whether that is right or wrong, we are all entitled to our own, and I believe I have a lot of experience: Being an Irish Champion in CX through U16, Junior and Elite level, winning Championship races by over 10mins, being the first rider in years to race CX internationally, devoting every hour of my life to trying to become a professional cyclist… and still missing the boat. U23 level is over for me. I still have the same passion for the sport, and believe I still can/could reach the highest levels, but honestly, I believe I’m in a better position to try and help those coming after me learn from what I did and didn’t do, and not potentially waste their energy chasing unrealistic dreams.

I couldn’t compete in the Irish CX season this year due to recovering from illness. I’m honestly sorry about that, and I’m really gutted I wasn’t able to race, I tried once or twice but I just was putting myself so far backwards in my recovery process. I could see it was an amazing season, and the Offroad Commission have put in so much work to making this happen. I absolutely acknowledge that they work flat out, do a fantastic job, and don’t get the respect they deserve, but no-one is asking for them to do more right now? Just to allow the riders to go.

If nothing else, we should respect the event of the World Championships. If every country took the same approach, it would only be Belgium and Holland turning up, and that wouldn't be much of an event.

So many people have voiced their opinion, and hopefully the Offroad Commission don’t ignore this feedback. We’re all in it for the same reason, we’ve got to work together for the good of our sport.

http://www.cyclingireland.ie/cycling-news-item/announcement-from-off-road-commission-re-cyclo-cross-world-championships/3365 is the announcement from Cycling Ireland Offroad Commission (ORC).

In essence, they are not permitting any riders to race the Cyclocross World Championships this year, even if they organise it and finance it completely themselves, because…

Honestly, I’ve read the statement multiple times, and I can’t figure out why.

Sorry to the guys at the commission, but I can’t see why someone like David Conroy wouldn’t be sent this year? You mentioned the future plans a lot, but this decision is about the present. David has raced internationally; having solid results for a 1^st year U23, been the best rider of his age category at National Championships even with a mechanical problem, I don’t need to go on about his commitment and talent and what he could bring to the sport in future. As a teenager, he made a very mature and balanced statement on Facebook, it's a shame he's so experienced at dealing with disappointment at this age.

“This development plan that we have considered will need a number of years to bed in and for the talent to come through the ranks” 

Why does that restrict riders this year?

“The long term development of riders is at the core of this decision from the Cycling Ireland Off-road Commission”

With the current number of junior and youth riders, will there be any left by the time this plan ‘beds in’? If the long-term development of riders is indeed at the core of this decision, what are the plans for bringing riders into the sport? Youth and Junior numbers are declining. Maybe because of the lack of opportunities? Maybe they can get on a team in another sport and get support and coaching and the chance to attend international events?

“The plan should outlast the current crop of talented riders we have now. This plan has been shaped over the last two years. The growth in cyclo-cross, both in participants and events, has fuelled a new impetus in creating a development path.”  

If you’ve acknowledged there is a crop of talented riders currently, why is all of this statement based on the future plans, and restricting the present?

So that's that. Thoughts on the present decision.Thoughts on their future aims below.

A team was sent to the European Champs this year. That’s class, that’s progress. I had to make my own way last year (With massive thanks to Donal O’Brien and Martine Verfaillie).

From what I’ve heard, this year the riders were told about this about 2 weeks before the event. Too late in the season to prepare, but got very good results all things considered. It’s great to see the ORC stating that they aim to send a team again in 2017, allowing riders to prepare in advance; progress.

The Euro Champs are at the end of October/start of November. Often the winner isn't the World Champ. Even for the best in the World, it's hard to peak twice within a few months. If not told about this months in advance, Irish riders will be preparing to peak literally months later for National champs, so it's crucial to state these things long beforehand if it is this race you're targeting. If it is, consider how close to their true potential riders will be, when they'll only have been able to do a few races at home in preparation.

“We are planning development days during the summer and then, if funds allow, we will aim to head over to England for one of the National Trophy rounds.”

This is super. Being part of something greater than yourself, a team, is so important to going the distance in sport. How many other guys in the country were doing what myself or Conroy were trying to do last year? Nobody. Training at this level can be incredibly lonely and defy all ‘normal’ things that a 16-21 year old will be doing at this stage of their life.If any progress is to be made, a ‘team’ needs made, and the riders can feed off eachother and motivate & encourage eachother.
National Trophy rounds are a perfect stepping stone to greater things. Enough to stretch an Irish rider, but not enough to break them. However, they’re pretty tough to organise logistically, because power washing facilities aren’t provided, so you’ve got to travel with mutliple bikes, a pit crew, and a power washer/generator and lots of water. It’s pretty unfair to say young riders should be trying to get to National Trophies on their own, because if their Mum or Dad isn’t interested and wealthy, they won’t make it, through absolutely no fault of their own. Teams need sent. I had to bluff my way into an English University to attend a British National Trophy event. I don’t want others to have to go through that.

‘if funds allow’. Between now and October enough money could be raised to fund a team to a few English races. Fact. How many people race cross in the country? How many people would love to see ambitious riders given the opportunities they deserve? Plenty. But the ball needs to be rolling NOW. Not 2 weeks before the event.

“We believe everyone would understand that sending a rider to a big international event does not make that rider stronger, faster or a better bike handler. Getting to go to the big international events is a motivational tool. Something to aim for. What makes a better cyclist is structured training and skills coaching.”

Absolutely true. However the bigger picture must be considered. World Championships is the very pinnacle of the sport, the highest level of the highest level. A result at this level can allow more funding to be accessed for the rider, better sponsorship negotiations, more support from family and friends, it can be a life-changing opportunity, completely outside of their direct physical development. Anybody who is anybody will be there. In the unlikely case of absolutely nothing else being gained or learned from the event, the fans, contacts and friends made at an event like this can open so many opportunity to a rider(and other riders) in the future, and it’s such a shame to overlook this.

Being the best in Ireland is not good enough to be selected to go to international events.

Why not?

Is it really the rider’s fault that the standard at home isn’t good enough?

This is absolutely not a personal crusade, but I’ll use myself as an example. As a junior, I won races at home by 10 minutes and more. I didn’t have the funds or family support to attend races outside of Ireland. If we aren’t good enough as a nation, isn’t that the federation’s responsibility to be developing us? What if the rider is absolutely incredibly committed to being stronger, faster and a better bike handler? ‘a big international event does not make that rider stronger, faster or a better bike handler’ . You know? Maybe they’re already spending every penny of their own money on training and equipment and travel within Ireland, missing every social event, giving up so many other opportunities at such a pivotal age, 100% committed to being the best rider they can be.

Does living each moment of my life as a professional athlete, learning all I can about training, nutrition, recovery, everything; not show enough commitment? I’m sorry my Dad didn’t own a bike shop or go to the Olympics, but that’s not really my fault, nor a lack of my commitment. I immersed myself in the sport, I learned all I could, I trained up to 3 times a day, and have the training logs and power data to show, and there are so many others with a similar story.

Riders need to show commitment to the sport by competing outside of Ireland e.g. in Britain, up against larger fields of riders. Only then can that rider be judged to see how well they perform. Sending a weak rider to a big international event where he/she can end out well towards the back of the group/race can be a de-motivator and we can risk losing that rider from the sport.

Absolutely, everything has positives and negatives, and getting beaten isn’t an amazing feeling.  Maybe demotivating, maybe incredibly motivating. Is not sending them really the better option? Shattering their hopes and dreams by not even giving them the chance? The experience and memories of attending a World Championship will stand with a rider forever. Junior and U23 riders will get to go to the biggest CX event in the world, race the same course as the Elite riders, and get to watch them afterwards. They’ll get to see the atmosphere, the energy the sheer size of a European cross event, to rub elbows with professional Cyclocross riders and see the extensive pits, equipment set up, mechanic tips and tricks. Surely that’s a much greater oppurtunity for motivation than sitting at home, in Ireland, with the CX season over and 9 months until the next race? I’d safely say there is much more chance of losing riders from the sport if they know that the chances of them ever attending a World Championships is nigh on impossible. Moreso, not even getting riders into the sport in the first place, never mind worrying about losing them.

We cannot fix what has happened in the past. We all know that there were missed opportunities. We all know individuals who could have been international stars. We can’t go back. We can only look forward.

But we cannot ‘only look forward’. We can look to the past to establish exactly why people couldn’t fulfil their potential, and indeed try to address these problems going forward. However, what’s happening in the present regularly seems to be ignored.

Cycling Ireland has decreed that riders are not allowed to self-fund themselves to World Championships. They can do that for World Cups provided they have shown good results.

This is super, and a fantastic opportunity for riders to race at the highest level. It’s not the World Champs, it won’t be as well attended or as big an opportunity to make contacts, showcase talent and learn, but it’s as close as we’ll get.

All in all, not sending riders to World Champs, isn’t the end of the world. However, it does seem to represent a greater attitude within Cycling Ireland. The Offroad Commission have mentioned their aims to develop riders in the future, and have been progressing their development opportunities lately, so all respect to them for that.

My biggest confusion is why a rider like David Conroy wasn’t allowed to go. It’s fantastic that he’s got to go to UCI development camps and race World Cups as a Junior I didn’t have those opportunities so it’s good to see progress there, but what is the logic in not allowing a guy like this not to self fund his way to the World Champs? What are you afraid of? What are your expectations for a self funded, self supported Junior or U23 rider, and why? Expectations must be realistic. For a self supported, self funded Irish rider, being on the start line is an achievement in itself.

Not only David, but Beth McCluskey has been amazing all season, and won National Championships by 2minutes. She would be a real contender for a ‘good’ result at the Worlds.

Myself and David were allowed to go last year, but Glenn Kinning wasn’t. To a guy who lives and breathes the sport, who puts so much in to it at home, who’s supporting other riders on a race team. Yep, he wasn’t going to win, but think about how much experience, passion and motivation he could have returned home with.

Instead, nobody rode in the Elite race for Ireland. Again, why? Were you afraid that he wouldn’t win? Do you imagine the other countries have some grand expectations for our tiny country to appear for the first time in 6 years and ride in the top 10? Are you afraid of ‘looking bad’? I think it looks pretty bad right now that riders aren’t being permitted to self fund themselves. Look at a riders like Angus Edmond from New Zealand, Mark McConnell of Canada, Yu Takenouchi of Japan, not winning or likely to, but bringing so much to the sport.

Yes, development and funding should be prioritised to younger riders, but you can’t simply ignore the elite riders. The sport needs riders like Roger Aiken, Glenn Kinning, Beth McCluskey, Fran Meehan to be acknowledged and praised, something for people to aspire to, to set their sights on, someone for these ‘youth’ riders in the ‘development plan’ to look up to and learn from.

Why should they be restricted from going to World Champs? What if they went and learned so much, and gained so much inspiration and motivation to bring back to Ireland to help develop the sport? On the other hand, what if they didn’t? If they were self funded, self supported, self organised, what has it cost? Unless something else hasn’t been made clear here by the ORC, then, nothing?

I don’t like people talking about things without acting on them. It’s so easy to criticise others when you haven’t walked a mile in their shoes. As I say, I have massive respect for the Offroad Commission and all they do, and they have made the decision they thought was best for the sport. However, I just want to present my view on things. I’d love to help out on the ORC, I really do think I could help younger riders progress and enjoy the sport, and have many good friends within the sport that I’m sure would be happy to assist in areas that they have more experience or knowledge. However, I know I’m young, for example I couldn’t get insurance on a hire van to take a team of riders abroad, I potentially don’t have the experience of some others so maybe I’m not the best man for the position. 
I know Andy Layhe (Team Manager at 2016 World Champs and 2017 Euro Champs) is running for CX Rep and I’d be happy to support him in that. And that’s what it will take, it’s not just down to one person as a CX rep, but the Offroad Commission acknowledging the entire CX community and bringing people together to help.

Moving forwards, my brief thoughts:

• A clear, realistic criteria for riders going to World Championships needs to be discussed with riders and established well in advance of the start of the CX season.
• All youth/junior/u23 riders interested in Cyclocross should be invited to development opportunities, and have the opportunity to voice their opinions.
• A manageable group of young riders should be selected as representing a national development team. These riders should have priority access to mentoring and coaching, with other interested riders having some sort of support network.
• National, British and International races should be marked out, and riders informed that the development team will be attending these races.
• Funds should be gathered to allow the development team to fairly travel to races, whether through a race levy, business sponsorship, selling merchandise, crowd funding, run a sportive; if it is clear that Cycling Ireland don’t have the budget to spread, then other areas must be explored.
• The sport itself needs to be publicised, and accessible to bring riders in to it. Young riders can't be expected to travel with multiple bikes and a pit crew.
• There should be a ‘1 bike’ category within the senior race to make it fair for those who do not have access to a pit crew, washing facilities and multiple bikes.
• Cyclocross needs to be promoted. If it’s kids we’re looking for, then going to schools would be ideal, but I understand school times are also work times for adults, so it could be hard to organise. Hopping barriers, sliding round corners, remounts, etc. all fun and exciting things for kids to see and want to do.

Additional note: Imagine the publicity generated by a rider going to World Championships - local and national newspapers, across the internet etc. If we're trying to promote the sport to young riders, imagine if a young kid could go back to his friends in school and say he went to the World Champs, or talk infront of an assembly? Think of the big picture.

If there is place for me within the commission, then I’d be happy to be a part of it.

If not, then I urge those who are making life changing decisions for others, to really take the time to think about the positives and negatives of these decisions, and back up what they say with good reason and specific plans going forward.

For those wishing to attend the AGM, details @ http://www.offroadcyclingireland.ie/wordpress/2017/01/12/second-notification-of-the-off-road-commissions-agm/  

Cycling Ulster Offroad AGM @ https://www.facebook.com/carl.fullerton.3/posts/10211285488243436

Thanks,

Monty.