Globalisation

[ingsve]

The UCI should increase race status slowly, not en bloc. Allow the races to grow organically, improving their field. Look at how Turkey is doing for a fine example of this.

And while the UCI's globalisation has mostly meant the US and Australia, look at how Brazilian cycling is really strong despite few UCI-sanctioned events and only two UCI-sanctioned Continental teams (now down to one). Help the countries' relevant authorities to build up a strong national scene that allows them to develop riders who can compete, rather than just sending the big guns to them and hoping that one or two can follow them while the rest just make the numbers up.

Yes, slow and steady is the way to go. The wrong way would be to cram every rider into 18 teams and then try and globalize the races those 18 teams ride. That would not work.

They should work on having a wide spread of 2.2 races and that is happening already. The next step is to raise the level of some of those races to 2.1 and 1.1 like San Luis and join other older races like Langkawi to make a prestigious sub PT level.

The march to october season is very european based but there is nothing that says there can't be interesting high level racing year around. It just won't be with the race riders. I can imagine a time when we have pro conti teams or parts of pro conti teams that are specific winter season teams that ride an interesting program from september to march for example. I think that would be an awesome development for cycling.

The main monuments would still be ridden by the very best teams at PT level and a handful other teams but below that level the sport could be truely worldwide. And this would also breed more good cyclists from all over the world so the PT would still be more internationalized.

 

[Wiesmier]

Globalisation of cycling is unsustainable in the long-term if you take into account the damage its doing to the biosphere

 

[Michele]

3-as many folks already mention-ASIA is the last frontier- and counting on the economical power of China-- I have no doubt in my mind they will attract the cycling world with crazy amounts of money & specially winning prices.

I have some chinese cycling friends, and they report me the prizes amount of some chinese open road races and it's very high.

Was Park the one who was 2nd to Rujano in the Genting Highlands stage in Langkawi? I know that it was a Korean.

That was Gong Hyo Suk, which seems to be a complete rider.

Park Sung Baek is more of a sprinter, who looked to have a lot of talent and to be the most promising sprinter from Asia for some years but then donno what happened.

 

[The Hitch]

Globalization in cycling is already a fact-but I think is a work in progress which is currently affected by the following:
1-European Races & organizers will use any means to impede any changes in status,riders participation,schedule & specially "TV Coverage & sponsors" in their races, so whether or not a new GT emerges, It will need to push away another races and have theirs untouched.
2-UCI & Pat have been trying unsuccessfully to push the idea of a series of top quality races around the world, just to realize that "investment & development" those competitions are more important than simply a rubber stamp from UCI and a mere status. ASO-on the other hand-understood it many years ago and begun "putting money & infrastructure" in those places & now they have Qatar, 50% ownership of the vuelta & coming up is San Luis in Argentina.
3-as many folks already mention-ASIA is the last frontier- and counting on the economical power of China-- I have no doubt in my mind they will attract the cycling world with crazy amounts of money & specially winning prices.
4-Cycling in Latin America is emerging again in countries less known for their history in the sport, such as Costa Rica Chile, Brasil & Argentina-which will be the big race in the south region. on the other hand, my country land Colombia & Venezuela-regions with world cycling reputation & history, and nonetheless the geography to become GT- will not get a "renaissance" until political stability & security is achieved, so foreign riders can feel safe to race there again, as many did in the 80's.
5-Unite States is still working on the "next GT" to challenge the European Races-as far as I know this project goes back to the middle 80's onwards-.. and yet nothing has happened-which is difficult to understand why-since every single aspect is in place to make it a reality. The TOC will reach a good level, but not the one to become a priority for the top Pro riders to be participating in every year.
6- Africa still decades away to obtain a great race worth the attention of the cycling world to be part of & generate quality participation

You mention a few times the idea of a 4th gt. The problem is Gts have to take place during hot times. In the northern hemisphere April May June July August and September are taken.

Therefore any 4th gt would need to take place in October November December January February. Preferably OCtober - November so that it could be at the end of the season.

The race should preferably have a good history.

This would rule out the best candidate - CHina. They can afford to give good prize money and the locals would go wild to have a big big race. But you cant do it October - March so no dice.

As i understand October - November is very good for Colombia

And history? mmm. VaC fits the bill there as well.

So if you wanted a 4th gc, pushing VaC into November and increasing its lenght by a week. Register it as a 170 point thing on the UCi calendar and give it a good prize money.

The problem would be less local teams and riders would be able to go to it. However, a deal could be made that at least 7 teams have to be local. Also in its first few years as a GT i think far more Latin American riders would target it anyway. And its immense prestige and hence excitement would help offset this.

But i think over time you would get 2nd tier riders going for it. These days riders go for the Giro Vuelta double. Tour riders find it difficult to do the Vuelta 1 month later. But give them 2 and a half months. I think many of them would target it. Especially top riders like this year, Evans, Kreuziger who feel they could have done better in the Tour, or Gesink, Daan Martin who have nothing to lose trying it. And the Uci points would attract top riders.

With a 4 month break coming up after it, from a riders perspective its not that big a risk to try it.

Thats IF you wanted a 4th gt. Colombia would be the only option. If you want one

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Problem with it is that it would be at the very end of the season... and probably the hardest of the lot.

 

[The Hitch]

Problem with it is that it would be at the very end of the season... and probably the hardest of the lot.

Thats a pretty minor problem compared to the other potential ones. Not everyone goes into end of season crushed. Contador finished their season in July. Others more or less did. Scarponi with the exception of Lombardy in May. Hell Boonen doesnt always go past March.

+ end of season means more time to recover afterwards.

Guys might peak for it.

Its big advantage would be that its at a perfect time for Tour riders looking for a second peak. Would Andy, Menchov do Vuelta if they had a good shot at a gt a month later without jepordising Tour chances? Samu, Evans, Gesink, Basso, VDB, Scarponi. Not all of them would have to do it for you to have top guys there.

 

[Vonn Brinkman]

That's a good idea Hitch, I like the whole 4 GT idea. Colombia does seem to be one of the best places to have the 4th GT there, but I am also thinking of South Africa.

The roads are quite good for long stretches, there's plenty of climbing, flat, treacherous descents and coast roads with lots of wind.
The weather will be nice in November, not hot, but definitely not cold, perfect for cycling (as long as you stay out of the desert).
South Africa might not have the longest standing road racing history like a place like Colombia, but there is a HUGE cycling interest in South Africa with many sponsors and local teams.

If there was to be a two and a half week stage race there in November, with many UCI points available, I could see riders doing the Tour - SA double in the future.

They would have enough time and rest to do the classics in April, prepare for the Tour in June and do it in July, do a few races in early August, take a short break, do the Worlds in September and start building up for the SA GT.
I personally think this is a great idea, and I am sure that South Africa would welcome the idea. Furthermore, it would also provide a perfect chance for hopefuls in South Africa to make the big leap into the Pro Tour ranks, just like many Australians have done and are now doing so (just look at the Pegasus Team!).

 

[PCutter]

While I welcome the globalisation of cycling, the idea that somehow Europe will stop being the centre of cycling doesn't seem much of a threat to me. No matter how much publicity (in the US) ToC gets, or how much prize money or cash Qatar throws at cycling (as they have with motor racing), when it comes down to it, the monuments and the GT's will be what separates the greats on their CV's, does anyone think Levi wouldn't swap all 3 ToC titles for just one monument? While Sponsors may see teams focus on certain races, European history will ensure cyclings home remains in Italy, France, Belgium and Spain.

Using football as a comparison, no matter how much UAE teams pay players, their comp will still only attract ageing superstars looking for a final payday, or guys who weren't good enough to cut it in the EPL, La Liga or Siera A. The globalisation should continue through the support of events like ToC, Langkawi, Q Lake and TdU, but the heart of cycling will always remain in Europe.

France just needs to concentrate its efforts into 1 or 2 superteams rather than spreading the talent too thinly over 5 teams of Pro Conti level.

 

[hfer07]

You mention a few times the idea of a 4th gt. The problem is Gts have to take place during hot times. In the northern hemisphere April May June July August and September are taken.

Therefore any 4th gt would need to take place in October November December January February. Preferably OCtober - November so that it could be at the end of the season.

As you mentioned, I "overused" the GT term, but I strongly believe IF a 4th GT emerges outside Europe, it will be beneficial to the sport, not only to decentralize the current focus on the existing races, but to broaden the options for the top Pro riders to participate in two(2) GT per year, without the current dilemma of not having enough time to recover between each one. A brand new GT would also help those riders whose calender has been affected by early injuries or a long break after the tour- which brig us to the most relevant question: WHEN
*you mentioned NOVEMBER- just the perfect timing to set the race outside Europe in a warmer region/location. I think it'd be the perfect month to conclude all the important races, considering the proximity of the holidays & give a comfortable buffer of two months for recovery. November also means to balance once for all the year's calender, by weighting more attention towards the 2nd half , in which San Sebastian, la Vuelta, the Worlds and Lombardy will not be affected, but in my opinion enhanced by the idea of having Top riders choosing to prioritize those races, instead of riding them as a left over of the season.
As far as VaC to become such race? It can be attainable in the long term,but -as I mentioned in my post-there are factor outside the sporting area that must be in place first in order to embrace the idea.

 

[The Hitch]

As you mentioned, I "overused" the GT term, but I strongly believe IF a 4th GT emerges outside Europe, it will be beneficial to the sport, not only to decentralize the current focus on the existing races, but to broaden the options for the top Pro riders to participate in two(2) GT per year, without the current dilemma of not having enough time to recover between each one. A brand new GT would also help those riders whose calender has been affected by early injuries or a long break after the tour- which brig us to the most relevant question: WHEN
*you mentioned NOVEMBER- just the perfect timing to set the race outside Europe in a warmer region/location. I think it'd be the perfect month to conclude all the important races, considering the proximity of the holidays & give a comfortable buffer of two months for recovery. November also means to balance once for all the year's calender, by weighting more attention towards the 2nd half , in which San Sebastian, la Vuelta, the Worlds and Lombardy will not be affected, but in my opinion enhanced by the idea of having Top riders choosing to prioritize those races, instead of riding them as a left over of the season.
As far as VaC to become such race? It can be attainable in the long term,but -as I mentioned in my post-there are factor outside the sporting area that must be in place first in order to embrace the idea.

Yep.

The things you mention also make VAC november gt a good idea.
+vs

It will give Cycling gts a nice even number.
Give 2nd half of the season more prestige
Allow Tour riders to focus on a 2nd gt. (perfect time for a second peak)
Create a top top race outside europe.
Further the popularity of the sport in Latin America.
Increase number of Latin American riders and teams
Give us viewers a 4th gt to watch. A very good one at that with great scenery and mountains.

-vs
Top euro guys might not ride it (I think they would, if the prize money is good, and the UCi points are there. If guys like Samu, Basso, ride Montreal and Chihuaha, why wouldnt they ride a GT. Also guys like Schleck might want to win a gc)
Riders might be tired (but i dont think they would be. Fewer Tour riders would pointlessly do the Vuelta, instead saving themselves for Colombia. And they have 4 months break after)
Costs money- THe Big problem.

Maybe to distinguish from the Vuelta (Spain) they should call it the "recorrer Colombia" or something.

I see Von Brinkam mentiones RSA. While everything else about it is good, the problem is it doesnt have a big historic race like Colombia does. The point people make on here all the time is that riders will go for races with history and prestige. VAC has that. 60 years of being the biggest race-outside europe.