Originally Posted by
big john
Patrick O'Grady wrote a column years ago comparing pro cycling in the U.S. with competitive eating. He said a guy won $2500 for eating 5 pounds of corned beef and cabbage which was the same amount Chris Horner got for winning the Redlands Classic stage race.
The eating guy likely was not constantly accused of doping either. Chris is a guy that is just happy to be on the bike.
As a parent, it was not so much the money, but guys that just love it as a job are rare. The travel, the conditions and the accusations make it not fun. Then it is not that safe - both training and the racing.
I think it relatively easy to know if someone could be the hard life kind of pro, but pretty much impossible to know if you are going to be able to do as well as focusing on another job. When you take your recreation, and make it a dangerous job, it is difficult to keep it fun.
I think Horner did. And with his announcing gig - still doing so, just too risky to turn down the rest of life for.