Do you need a sporting background to start racing?

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I've raced on year, and the year before that i did easy riding of the country side.

I've taken my training this winter much more seriously, but a Team Coach says that since i don't have a sporting background (running...any type of endurance sports before i took up cycling) that i'll have problems from doing too much.

I'm not too sure if i trust him, because i've talked to other people that have given me good feedback...

...just wondering if anyone out there has any imput on this situation

Thanks,
Bryan

Well... I won a cat 5 junior race last sunday, and I've been riding for five-six months. Before that, I had done little to no exercise. I never really played team sports - to be honest, I'm really not very good at them! I did a little cross-country in the seventh grade, but that's all. I'm sure you'll do fine.

Not a training expert but seems ridiculous to me. Just build training volume gradually, no big jump in training. I think all that not being super athletic in the past means is that you can't just jump to training 15-20 hours a week. But if you've already ridden for a few years, it's probably all good.

Well... I won a cat 5 junior race last sunday, and I've been riding for five-six months. Before that, I had done little to no exercise. I never really played team sports - to be honest, I'm really not very good at them! I did a little cross-country in the seventh grade, but that's all. I'm sure you'll do fine.
Congratulations on the victory,

I just got my Cat. 5 license as well and before cycling I ran cross-country for three years ( I got MVP two of those years:D ) so I was conditioned well for road cycling.

P.S: I am hoping to have a few wins this year too.

I've raced on year, and the year before that i did easy riding of the country side.

I've taken my training this winter much more seriously, but a Team Coach says that since i don't have a sporting background (running...any type of endurance sports before i took up cycling) that i'll have problems from doing too much.

I'm not too sure if i trust him, because i've talked to other people that have given me good feedback...

...just wondering if anyone out there has any imput on this situation

Thanks,
Bryan
Don't listen to him. If you don't start somewhere how can you develop a background? All you need in cycling is to develop a high pain threshold and to be commited. Hard work beats talent if talent doesnt work hard.

@s.thomas how many riders do you get in each division per race (and what age group)?

I could see how a sporting background could help but I don't believe it is absolutley essential to be a good rider.

some of the elite guys from my club said they were chubby and did no exercise (before cycling) when they started and now they're the best of the club.

some of the elite guys from my club said they were chubby and did no exercise (before cycling) when they started and now they're the best of the club.
I resemble that remark!
Before starting to cycle very competitively I mountain biked and raced occasionally when I was 8-10. As well as played hockey. Then for like two years I didn't do much at all and was a bit chubby. Then I started riding more, and racing again. My first season and a half of racing I was pretty bad, but the end of this year I started getting faster, like every week. I went from getting dropped in Cat 5 races to winning by 2 minutes. (Moved up soon thereafter) and from Junior Begginer in MTB to Junior Expert for this season!

I've raced on year, and the year before that i did easy riding of the country side.

I've taken my training this winter much more seriously, but a Team Coach says that since i don't have a sporting background (running...any type of endurance sports before i took up cycling) that i'll have problems from doing too much.

I'm not too sure if i trust him, because i've talked to other people that have given me good feedback...

...just wondering if anyone out there has any imput on this situation

Thanks,
BryanIt`s the same with me. Our coach recommends me running or swimming, because all body is working, not just legs as on bike. That improves your oxygen consumption, which is very important. But time for other sports are in fall and winter, during off-season..

It`s the same with me. Our coach recommends me running or swimming, because all body is working, not just legs as on bike. That improves your oxygen consumption, which is very important. But time for other sports are in fall and winter, during off-season..agree to that.
especially doing mtb you'll find more arm strength very useful on XC races and downhills.
i also like to believe you can become a much faster climber just by training your arms, just think about what your arms are doing when you're climbing...

Not a training expert but seems ridiculous to me. Just build training volume gradually, no big jump in training. I think all that not being super athletic in the past means is that you can't just jump to training 15-20 hours a week. But if you've already ridden for a few years, it's probably all good.

Agreed. As proven by the AIS (australian institute of sport) talent ID program it is possible for an athlete to translate performance in an seemingly unrelated discipline to good results in cycling in a very short period of time. Another example is Paul Crake, who went straight from being world stair climbing champion to professional cyclist, and this year won the bronze in the australian open road cycling champs.

I would say that anyone (short of someone who has neglected their body and caused damage by say long periods smoking or alcohol abuse) should still be able to acheive results, it is just a matter of ramping up the general fitness slowly (which the original poster is doing by the sounds of it).

The other component to consider I guess is the mental mindset of the high performance athlete. If you have been competing in sport for a long time then you are more likely to know how to dedicate yourself to training, eat the right foods, etc. Of course, on the other hand perhaps starting with a clean slate later in life would be beneficial. I am purely speculating!

You will find no shortage of negative people in your travels. I know this is a hacknyed phrase, but I really think that if you believe in yourself, you can do (almost) anything!

UPDATE:


No wins yet but a lot of Top 5's and I am still hoping for a few wins this year. I have logged around 2700 miles so far.

My teammate, Alder has also been tantalizingly close to a win.

3rd in a Recent Mens Race

I finished 18th in that race but there was a field of 50 and I had worked on the front for a few miles.