How does it work?

[Eric8-A]

I was watching the TTT that took place today at the Vuelta a Colombia----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s8LegxBcnU&feature=feedu.

I've been watching these videos for a good while. I've noticed that not all riders are riding the same bikes nor are they riding the same brand. Some have all out TT bikes, while others have road bikes with clip-on aerobars. Some have aero helmets, some have regular road helmets. I noticed someone's riding a T-Mobile bike. That's got to be 4 or more years old.

How do sponsorships work down in South America. Is there not enough money for them to have identical bikes? How does it work?

 

[ElChingon]

Lower budgets calls for more resourcefulness in racing equipment.

 

[Eric8-A]

Does that mean that some riders have to buy their own equipment?

 

[Ildabaoth]

Does that mean that some riders have to buy their own equipment?

Yes. Or to borrow it. Even currently you can find a lot of Rock Racing stuff used by colombian cyclists. By the way, it was outrageous that La Vuelta a Colombia paid Rock Racing a huge chunk of money for them to participate in the race a couple of years ago, while, at the same time, many colombian riders didn't even have money to get a proper hotel room (yes, some riders have to pay for that themselves too). To make things worse, Rock Racing didn't do anything in the race.

Teams from Antioquia, Cundinamarca and Boyacá usually have more money. But almost everywhere else the situation is more precarious. For example, a few weeks ago I met a guy who was racing La Vuelta de la Juventud using a >22 lbs bike. Perhaps he was talented, who knows, but he was obviously getting dropped in every mountain due to his bike weight huge disadvantage.

 

[hfer07]

Does that mean that some riders have to buy their own equipment?

if the rider can afford it- sometimes the bikes are either donated or rented-even on lay away from bike shops.
This is the real proof of what "real" athletes do for the love of the sport-unlike USA & Europe where anyone can get access to good equipment & training- those folks have to even combine their training with part & full time jobs to even afford to buy their bikes.

 

[Eric8-A]

That's some true dedication.

 

[erik saunders]

people have no clue what it takes to be a bike racer or win a race...

it is most certainly not about the bike...