Cat 1 to Getting Paid

How old are you and where do you live? These two things mean more than anything else. Get involved with your local race scene and start winning. You will meet some people that will want to help you out. If are a nice guy and stay humble good things will happen. Doing these things will help you get on a good regional team. If you work hard and prove yourself to the more established guys they will help you get better. Now, find a good coach or ask the local pro/fast guys to coach you. Keep riding and know that you still have a long way to go. The more dedicated you are the faster you will rise through the ranks. Win some big local/regional races and the regional team will maybe take you to some NRC/national events. Keep working hard and try to make a impression at the NRC events. The pro teams in the US need to see you race in order for them to be interested in having you race for them. Depending on how old you are make sure that you know when and where Junior/U23 nationals are. These are important because you will be able to race against other kids your age and if you do well, you will get noticed.

The biggest thing you need to have is dedication. In the end talent doesn't matter so much as never giving up. If you are humble to everyone that you meet and never forget to say thank you to the people that help you will make it to the pro level. You probably won't make any money your first couple years as a pro. If you never give up it doesn't matter. You will eventually make a living racing your bike if you have the dedication.

Getting on the national team will depend on how old you are and how well you do at nationals. Knowing someone doesn't hurt either. Politics are a big part of cycling and you will need to learn how to manage yourself.

Going from a US pro team to a European pro team just takes more dedication and never giving up. Keep working hard and the results will come. You will need to get on a team that will take you to a race where the Euro teams can see you. If you do well there then you can keep going further.

If I were you I would worry about becoming a cat 1 first....

fixed said:

Ok...so I understand how the upgrades work from cat 5 to cat 1. But once you are Cat 1 how difficult is it to then get on a Pro team that will pay you to ride. Also...what are the differences in the different pro teams? Obviously the elite teams running in the grand tours and such are making more money...but what do lower level pros make and how hard is it to break onto one of these lower teams once you are cat 1. Also I've read a lot about people going straight onto on of the big teams...how does that happen? Once you are Cat 1 what sort of results and what sort of races do you need to get into to catch the eye of a European pro team like Fassa...Lampre...Discovery...Quickstep...etc...?

and how do you go about getting onto the us national team???

fixed

fixed said:

Ok...so I understand how the upgrades work from cat 5 to cat 1. But once you are Cat 1 how difficult is it to then get on a Pro team that will pay you to ride. Also...what are the differences in the different pro teams? Obviously the elite teams running in the grand tours and such are making more money...but what do lower level pros make and how hard is it to break onto one of these lower teams once you are cat 1. Also I've read a lot about people going straight onto on of the big teams...how does that happen? Once you are Cat 1 what sort of results and what sort of races do you need to get into to catch the eye of a European pro team like Fassa...Lampre...Discovery...Quickstep...etc...?

and how do you go about getting onto the us national team???

fixed

If you want to get on a division 3 pro team you basically have to kick ass in every cat 1 race you enter. You'll get noticed if you are pulling beatdowns left and right.

Money? lol. As a div 3 pro in America you'll get barely any money, if any at all.

To get on the us national team for worlds you have to pretty much be a euro based american pro or just an outstanding pro in the NRC races.

If you're an under 23 or junior just pull beatdowns at big races and meet people and if you are good enough they'll find you.

The easiest way to get on a pro team is to have your Dad own a few restaurant franchises like Subway. Have him start up a Div 3 pro team, sponsored by his restaurant. To give your team credibility, hire a respected foreign team director. If you can, find an ex-elite national champion or two (I hear Scottie Weiss is available). It doesn't matter if they're washed up, they'll get you a little bit of respect. Finally, find a foreign rider or two to add a little flavor to your roster.

Ok...

How do Nationals work for U23? Do you just show up or do you need an invite or what?

fixed

Do you even ride bikes right now???????
You have to be a cat 1 or cat 2 to register for U23 natz. Start racing, you should at least do a couple of races before you start trying to figure out how to get paid....

fixed said:

Ok...

How do Nationals work for U23? Do you just show up or do you need an invite or what?

fixed

You should get a coach. I know an up and coming coach. He wants to work with with young cyclists. He's a D3 pro right now. Email him at [email hidden]. He can show you the way.

OKpro said:

Do you even ride bikes right now???????
You have to be a cat 1 or cat 2 to register for U23 natz. Start racing, you should at least do a couple of races before you start trying to figure out how to get paid....