How does someone become a professional ie paid cyclist ?

[mustang1]

Thats crazy dangerous. You depend on other road users keeping to their lane.

Yeah, I very much dislike the idea. Watching it on video, with rocking music (always helps) makes it a fun viewing. Other than that, I completely disagree with this way of racing. Anyone who tells me I do not understand "being connected with the bike" or "feeling alive" or "you really have to concentrate when you don't have brakes" (as if you do not concentrate when you do have brakes) is most awkward to confront.

I noticed in a few alley cat videos that they are edited in such a way to make the cyclists appear better than they are.

 

[Ian H]

Still closed for the duration of the event. But yes, not many closed road races, which underlines my point about emerging talent coming from the off-road disciplines.

Mostly not even closed for the duration. Despite the motorcycle marshals and official cars we still get the occasional driver somehow inserting themselves in the race.

 

[bladesman73]

So with most things in life, much of it is down to who you know unless you are supremely talented.

 

[matticus]

So with most things in life, much of it is down to who you know unless you are supremely talented.

I'd disagree. Contacts help, but anyone can race (unlike F1). If you beat the local favourite, people will talk to you.
There is noone racing today's TT against Pog, that people are muttering he shouldn't be there.
What you DO need is an initial budget that is a little higher than some sports; and yet lower than many!

 

[CXRAndy]

Most riders beat local competition, then regional onto national competition. They will be encouraged from a young age if they show natural talent, some will come from other sports running or downhill sky jumping (Roglic). What they all have is genetic advantage over the vast majority

 

[boydj]

The starting place for many club racers will be time trials which are more frequent than road races as the organisation is much simpler and approvals much easier to obtain. Most time trials will allow unattached riders to enter, but you'll be expected to join a club after a couple of tt's.

If you are lucky enough to live in an area where there is a velodrome, then there are winter leagues where clubs compete.

First stop, though is to join a club - preferably one with a number of regular racing cyclists.

 

[Milzy]

It’s as DCLane says but these days also if someone is seen pumping out big numbers on Zwift they can be approached to see if they’re genuine & get a contract as has happened a few times before.

 

[Chris S]

In answer to the OP's question - get a job working for Just Eat.

 

[Chislenko]

Probably like anything else in life, knowing the right people and having a few bob.

 

[matticus]

Probably like anything else in life, knowing the right people and having a few bob.

Or maybe not - if you actually know anything about the topic you are commenting on ...

 

[Ridgeway]

If i look here then many of the road pros came from the Velodrome (here at UCI HQ in Aigle or Geneva) The structured approach of track cycling seems to be a good platform for many disciplines there after.

 

[mattobrien]

My mediocre time trial placings don’t appear to be getting me noticed by the pro teams but at 43 I suspect my chances of turning pro are behind me.
That said, a couple of our team members have gone over the France this season to race with a French team and seeing as they’re nearly 25 years younger than me I suspect their chances of going pro are significantly better than mine.

 

[Arrowfoot]

It like all sports only a tiny fraction will rise to the top.

I know of the cases in sports (not close enough to cycling to know more ) where parents' or coaches' influence has gotten them into pilot and pathway programmes without merit. But they get spit out really quickly when it comes to actual competition.

For cycling physiology and commitment are both needed. Now days tests are done at an early age just to check heart rate, VO2 etc. You can forget about going far if your standing heart rate is 60 and above. All the training will do is just make you better than those with similar or higher rate. Cycling is unlike football and hockey where you can develop exceptional ball skills, vision and reading the game without physiology playing much of a part.

Clubs of course want more members so they don't tell you anything.

 

[Tenkaykev]

My mediocre time trial placings don’t appear to be getting me noticed by the pro teams but at 43 I suspect my chances of turning pro are behind me.
That said, a couple of our team members have gone over the France this season to race with a French team and seeing as they’re nearly 25 years younger than me I suspect their chances of going pro are significantly better than mine.

That’s a thought, perhaps introduce a Veterans Tour with medals in each age category, 1st over 70 up Alpe D’Huez for example 😉

 

[Flick of the Elbow]

Clubs of course want more members so they don't tell you anything.

Every club I’ve ever been involved with wants more members purely for the good of promoting cycling for its own sake. Whether any of the younger members develop to elite level is completely irrelevant.