Team Great Britain

MXBen711 wrote:

I am one, so I can confidently say not much hahahaI don’t want to sound like one of those blokes, but everything was better when I...

I am one, so I can confidently say not much hahaha

I don’t want to sound like one of those blokes, but everything was better when I was younger. Shops took care of local guys, brands took care of pros. No Insta, people loving riding bikes because it was fun. I wish everyone still did that, the 90’s and 00’s were so good. Track prep was optional, race prep was tightening your spokes and chain and putting a fresh filter in, race diet was a can of relentless and B&H silver. Just ride every week and had a good time doing it

MXBen711 wrote:

The whole thing has just become so complicated now. From the passion side, you want to help people. MX seems to be a sport of people...

The whole thing has just become so complicated now. From the passion side, you want to help people. MX seems to be a sport of people helping each other out and thats one of the things i love about it, but the grief and hassle from riders has caused a lot of that to diminish. Some kids you cant help, great riders but awful parents, some have talent but dont want to do it, its actually a minefield. And one thing i have learned, social media tells a story but its not always accurate.

Personally i don't look at social media when sponsoring riders, if i get an email i always respond as its important to the person on the other end to receive some confirmation that its been read, and i try to offer some advice but i split it like this. Top 10 British Champs, they're the people regular guys look up, they'll get coverage in publications and on social media will get an element of free product and in very rare cases financial support. Lower level British/Good level AMCA Champs or regional, some free some paid and then anything below that as much as i try and help the expectation vs reward ratio is so far out its impossible to manage. It starts off with gratitude, then it becomes expectation, and then it becomes entitlement and to cap it all off you'll check social media and there will a product on their bike or their backs that isn't yours because they haven't managed their time or equipment properly. Dealers should do regional, brands or Distributors do National and no brand should ever have direct contact with an end user unless that's their only route to market.

I would love to sponsor any kid that puts the effort in but the practicality is its just not possible, and experience has taught me that it wont end well either unfortunately. 

philG wrote:

Is there any mileage in local Vet riders.. asking for a friend LOL.

MXBen711 wrote:

I am one, so I can confidently say not much hahahaI don’t want to sound like one of those blokes, but everything was better when I...

I am one, so I can confidently say not much hahaha

I don’t want to sound like one of those blokes, but everything was better when I was younger. Shops took care of local guys, brands took care of pros. No Insta, people loving riding bikes because it was fun. I wish everyone still did that, the 90’s and 00’s were so good. Track prep was optional, race prep was tightening your spokes and chain and putting a fresh filter in, race diet was a can of relentless and B&H silver. Just ride every week and had a good time doing it