At what age do pro road cyclists turn pro, and when is it too late?
just wondering ... because one day i would like too and this summer plan on training harder and entering a few youth races, but wondered at what point it would become almost impossible to cycle for a living - for instance there are some sports like football where unless you are scouted and put into a youth academy before 15/16 you find it hard to break through the ranks (although obviously a few still do eg Ian Wright being scouted at like 18 and not playing till 21 etc)
Endurance athletes (cyclists, distance runners, etc.) tend to hit their competitive peak at a later age than more explosive sports. In cycling you'll often see the very best riders clustered around 28 years old. So, too late is probably a long way off.
Espoir teams in Europe typically cut off at 23. There is even an Under 23 World Champion. There are pros younger than 23 but only very exceptional ones (Mark Cavendish). There are also guys who get their first contract older than 23.
With that in mind, cycling doesn't have the abundant national infrastructure of other sports. Most guys (and girls) still have to find their own way through local or regional teams and moving up the USAC rankings.
Start as young as you want, just be sure it stays fun. There are lots of domestic pros out there making very little money, traveling constantly, and suffering through 6 hour rides in the rain who will say they wouldn't trade it for the world.
Find a local team, listen to the older or more experienced guys, and get into some races. If you still like it, keep going, train more, race more, win more, and you'll move up.
Roadfly.com - 2011 VW Touareg VR6 Sport Road Test & Review
 |
No items matching your keywords were found.