As if British Cycling doesn't have enough problems… Riders revolt over 2017 National Championships being hosted on Isle of Man

Maybe we'd best run the RR permanently up Box Hill to suit the Southerners ? 

Wherever it goes it will put people out.  If they're put off though - they aren't the future of cycling.

Look at Cav and Kennaugh - did growing up on a small island hinder them ? 

Man up and save your pennies if you're serious. 

Privateer riders manage to get to the IOM TT every year for 2 weeks, one week practice and a week racing.....!

He should maybve ask his sponsors to cover the expenses or is he just running the team as an ego boost?  

I might be wrong but I would guess that his teams jerseys are covered in sponsors.  If he chooses to cheapen the sport by giving free publicity, he has no one else to blame but himself.

No wonder womens cycling struggles to get sponsors and money when you have teams giving advwertising space away for next to nothing.

On the one hand it's a bit of a shame some won't be able to afford the costs and also that there's so little money in the sport below World Tour level that this sort of thing is a reality.

On the other hand people know this getting into the sport (certainly before they turn pro), at least you'd hope they generally like their job to do it under those conditions. I hate my job but it pays the bills, it would even allow me to go to IoM on holiday.

No one has a god-given right to make a living out of riding a bike (or doing any other sport for that matter), a lucky few make it and make a good living out of the money that's in the sport but most don't. There are other career options available...

I raced on IoM in the early 90's. Was amazing courses. Personally as a racer I'd make the extra effort just to race on those courses. However I get the issue with racing against the pros. As a 48 yr old weekend warrior I went in one of NZ's biggest races late last year and got dropped after 25 min after 5 guys including 2 olympians and all pro-conti riders attacked on the front from the word go. Be a shame to travel and spend up large to get dropped that early at the nats. 

I very much doubt it was done to minimise costs to teams, more the fact that the numbers simply didn't show up last year and so it was cut. Riders made their voices heard and didn't turn up. 

I've been involved with race organisation before, I'm not saying it's easy, but when British Cycling keeps denying bids from Scottish organisers for national events. Including Road and Cyclocross with the reason "riders won't travel that far". I'd love to know the reasoning behind having it on IoM, considering riders didn't travel there last season, why would they do it this season.

Some right idoits commenting here. As I fully expected. I know the team manager that made that comment, highly respected team competing domestically and abroad.

Then there are those people who seem to ONLY know about mens cycling "Don't turn up unless you are on a Conti team".....clearly knows nothing about womens cycling, especially calling a professional sport.

Team budgets, nowhere near the £80k as commented above. Infact, some womens teams only provide kit and a number of race entries. Most of the season you have to self fund your racing, travel and everything else associated with racing. Missing out "lesser" races isn't really an option either, as you'd need to miss about 5 races to save the money for the time needed on IoM. That's nearly a whole road series.
 

Yeah the IoM has produced a number of great cyclists and no-one is denying that, yes the premier calendar went there last year aswell.....but gained half the entries of any other Women’s Road Series or Mens Spring Cup race. Which you'll also notice has not been continued into 2017 and there are no Manx races on any series calendar apart from the Youth/Juniors tours. Much to the relief of many riders and teams.

From my experience turning up at National champs is a complete waste of money unless you are at least on a Conti team.  Just look at the results over the last 5 years.  So either accept the cost and go (to probably get dropped after 45mins) or find another race.  It is a professional sport now, amateurs need to accept that.

My heart bleeds for the little petals.

With all the money British Cycling has received over recent years surely they have the resources available to subsidise some of the smaller British based teams at the Nationals. After all the sole objective of BC is to promote cycling. No doubt all the British riders are members otherwise they would not be eligible to ride !

"For that price we can go and do a couple of weekends in Belgium or Holland."

Not sure about the relevance of this statement. Do your sponsors have a particular link with those countries and are looking to raise their profile there? Are  you entering  the Belgian or Dutch National championships? are those races being televised  in Britain ?(again assuming your sponsors are looking for some exposure) 

No one denies that the logisitics are not ideal that's why it's been 20 plus years since the Island last hosted the Championships. However, it's not that many years ago that road racing in Britain was an endangered species, remember the Archer GP anyone? Throughout the lean times the IOM continued to provide a crop of young talented British riders (it would be trite to name them ) and even added a new race to the Premier calendar last year with the Manx International.

Now you can compain about the cost and the inconvenience of attending the Nationals which is arguably the most prestigious event in the domestic calendar but  before doing so I would as you please take a moment to acknowledge the Island's contribution to cycling before you voice your complaints and cast a shadow over British Cycling's decision

You'll probably find that for the weekends where the races are on most hotelliers and guest houses will yark their prices up which doesn't help.

But its the Nationals and if teams are worried over costs they should miss out on one of the lesser races they participate in. However they may have contracts where they have to take part in the lesser races or risk being kicked out. Its a tricky choice.

Christ, how little money is there in cycling? Ironic given how much pro bikes cost.

When I was involved with BSB superstock a few years ago half-decent teams would be spending about £80k a reason and they were the guys that didn't get on TV half the time and had sponsors like Naylors World of Carpets or whatever.

I can't believe you can be serious about competing at a good level and not be able to find £1000. Meanwhile, £350 for a pair of shoes.

pedalpowerDC wrote:

If they are going to complain about travel time, think about travel times for most every participant at USA nationals. Let's see, USA CX nats was in Hartford, Connecticut a few weeks ago. That's over 3000miles (4800km) from cyclocross hotbed Portland, Oregon. How about a little rule 5 HTFU from some of these Brits?

They aren't complaining about travel time though are they? At least according to this article that hasn't been mentioned. They are complaining about cost.

To put some perspective on this how much did it cost for "most every participant" to travel from portland to Hartford? If it was much more then the American teams must be very lucky to have so much money. If it was less then I think the problems lie elsewhere, not so much with the organiser but with the general cost of getting around these isles and accommodation if and when they get there.

but note its the HSBC nationals thesedays, not just the mere nationals anymore, youd think if they were so keen to have their logo splashed everywhere they could stump up some cash to help subsidise the riders accomodation/travel, you could easily set it up based on race points

as for the HTFU stuff ? grow up

If they are going to complain about travel time, think about travel times for most every participant at USA nationals. Let's see, USA CX nats was in Hartford, Connecticut a few weeks ago. That's over 3000miles (4800km) from cyclocross hotbed Portland, Oregon. How about a little rule 5 HTFU from some of these Brits?

As it's not actually part of the UK, it's interesting that it gets to host the Championships.

Maybe, Sochi will hold them in 2019, as they get to hold Grand Prix, the Olympics, World Cup etc?

If Tristan De Cunha would build some roads, it could be held there!

You'd think that people would be peaking for the Nationals though - so if you're having to spend cash or take holidays - it would be for the A race ? 

If they want a cheap sport then cycling isn't the one. 

And what about the old Manx Cycling Week ? That used to bring loads of riders. You didn't hear Fignorn and co complaining. 

I can see Crowdfunding getting some business!

How much do they want it? A lady I know cycled to Portugal, rowed to Brazil and then cycled south to the Olympics last year as part of a 4 person team ... and they were just spectating!