Busta Quad

My 12 yo and I were discussing what it takes to be an elite/pro level rider (or elite athlete in general); all the factors that have to come together. We got out a piece of paper and drew out a diagram that reflected what we were talking about. Then, of course, she insisted we do it up nice on the computer. So, viola, here it is (FWIW).

The circles represent some of the various factors that have to come together (there are undoubtedly more) and the area where they do (the white diamond) represents the realm of the elite rider. Inside that is another overlap model where various factors select the few superstars out of the pool of elite riders. That tiny white triangle represents the realm of the superstar. Once we drew this up my daughter realized (visually) that if you are missing just just one of the factors you don't make the show.

Maybe kind of dumb, but my daughter was very proud of what we came up with so I thought I'd share.

Homebrew01

Excellent. It also shows that although the odds of becoming the "best" are very small, it's is quite possible to become good, or very good. I may borrow this for my 12 and 8 year olds.

PanicDog

Where are you in the chart if you have everything but genetics?

fatallightning

ohhh, a venn diagram.

Ralleh

It's not spaced to allow for that...I don't have the heart to tell the kid, though.

Flatballer

That would depend on just how bad your genetics are.

For example, if you don't have any legs, you aren't even on the chart.

travkat

great venn diagram. and kudos to you for taking time to do things with your child that involve sports and learning.

Second Mouse

It'd be interesting to see Ullrich's chart. You could overlap the genetics, resources and support circles, and the diet, psychology and training circles could just be floating around like soap bubbles.

<<<(means I'm kidding)

SushiJoe

VERY bad.
I have to nearly kill myself in training to achieve the level of "slightly less sucky."

Cue

It's time to sell your bikes.

jamiewilson3

I think Jan's chart would be made out of schnitzel and wurst instead of circles. Perhaps a syringe in there too.

Busta Quad

Dope falls under "resources".

tubescreamerx

spot on

CrimsonKarter21

I'm still not entirely convinced that superior genetics are necessary for becoming professional. Sure at the beginning it will matter, but they're trainable systems.

StephenH

Evidently, I'm out in that black border somewhere.

patentcad

Where I am. Cat IV for Life.

wanders

Which I've come to refer to as the abyss. It acurately reflects my abilities.

Abysmal.

Ratfish

You're a cat 4? Why the hell did I have you sign my chest? I thought you were a retired pro....

urbanknight

Right on the lower point of the diamond.

Welcome to the club.

MammaMia

2 weeks ago I was in south Spain near Calpe/Benidorm, and one day during a ride me and my friend met a group of italian pro and U23 guys (we recognized Baliani, CSF Navigare).
Well, they were going uphill while chatting and joking, while me and my friend were with a very high heart rate, and then we let them go cause it's no sense to push so hard so early in the season.

This example can be associated to another one.
Ive got a friend who used to race as junior and left before turning U23, and then rejoined the amateur categoris riding mainly circuit races.
Well, when I told him I got a training plan from a trainer, he told me "please dont talk of those stuff to me cause I dont understand a heck of them".
So I explained him that he got so much experience, and been riding so much since he was a kid that he doesnt understand much for know where he stands and what he needs to do for train properly.

Creakyknees

I'm not sure where this would fall in the diagram, but a big factor is what I call "resilience"

Or put another way it's the "opposite of Tommy D" effect. Susceptibility to injuries, illness, ability to handle high workloads, mental toughness. etc.

BillyD

Yes, that's the popular and timeworn FANTASY.

permanentjaun

I would make support and resources the same.

permanentjaun

I'm not sure I understand how you're going to present this to your kids. I'd be careful of showing them how hard it is to be the best. You risk crushing their dreams right then and there. They're only 8 and 12. Let them ride without worrying about what it's going to take to be a pro.

merlinextraligh

1) there are limited number of slots for professional cyclists.

2) there are more people than slots that have the support, diet, resources, training and psychology.

Hence, a condition precedent to getting one of those slots is to have at least somewhat superior genetic potential.


Put in other words, there are too many people out there that are willing to train as hard, and as smart as is absolutely possible. Unless you have more god given talent, than at least some of them, you will never become a pro.