Winds of youth - a Teen Age is upon us

[Oldermanish]

The physiological peak age of a cyclist is probably closer to the age of these young guns than we previously thought. Add in the better talent discovery, elite training, and doping programs from a young age, and you get this. Cycling functions a lot more like 5-10k run races than marathons despite the long nature of the races, and those shorter events are always dominated by younger people on average. I do think 18-20 years olds as you specifically reference should not be quite top level yet, and some of those riders are surprising, but the age of people like Pog/Remco/Sheffield is not too surprising.

I generally and anecdotally disagree on the peak age. If all things are clean and the racers are disciplined IMO that age is closer to mid-30's. That is taking the seriously gifted aerobic few, of course.

Having witnessed too many very talented world class level juniors quit before the peak their peak years almost to a rider was the same rationale: the sport requires you give up everything including your ethics on clean and healthy competition.

This CN article today pretty much indicates the same thing:

'We're not all like Pogačar or Remco' - Talented teenagers give up on dream of turning professional​

By Stephen Farrand
published 2 hours ago
Gabriel Berg and Cormac Nisbet quit while riding Soudal Quick-Step development team

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Soudal Quick-Step Devo team riders Gabriel Berg and Cormac Nisbet (Image credit: Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team)

Talented teenagers riders Gabriel Berg and Cormac Nisbet have given up on their dreams of racing professionally and left the Soudal Quick-Step development team, admitting the fears and pressures of the sport had left them unhappy and looking for a different life.

Fortunately both had the courage to stop racing before suffering any major problems. They were both grateful to the Soudal Quick-Step development team for supporting them during their racing career and after they made the decision to leave the team.

 

[Unchained]

'We're not all like Pogačar or Remco' - Talented teenagers give up on dream of turning professional​

By Stephen Farrand


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A cool perspective, one I completely disagree with.
The math says this about every sport. The higher you get the fewer jobs there are. Pro cycling is no different, vast majority of pros are racing with clubs or continental level squads. These two young guys made the right decision if Pogacar and WT was the only thing that they will settle for, otherwise tons of space ..
Baseball, big time for basketball and hockey tons of pro jobs available.. In basketball you can play from Greece to Argentina to China.. NBA? No but professional leagues..
Majority of pro baseball players never play in MLB. Majority of pro basketball players never play in NBA..in bike racing majority never win a pro race, majority don't sign w WT team. Young riders who are so, so misinformed brainwashed into thinking, WT or you didn't make it are just destroyed before starting. Yes to be Pogacar is a dream of most,but you can be a fantastic success and never reach that level.
I have included some racing, some pro that to me is the pure essence of bike racing. And I could be wrong, but 95% of bike racing is knowing how to keep the wheel in front of you.. Not all that dramatic or glorious. Especially for American young racers, if your races don't look like this, you need to change venues if you want to progress..

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XAgsDxoaDgs&pp=ygUZb21sb29wIHZhbiBkZSBpanNzZWxkZWx0YQ%3D%3D

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=omL5kjV3xto&pp=ygUdU2x1aXRpbmdzcHJpanMgcHV0dGUga2FwZWxsZW4%3D


And if language is holding you back, don't, necessity will be your teacher..