the problem with Cycling in New Zealand...
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
- I forgot to mention also Reuben Thompson and Laurence Pithie are also World Tour
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Hi i'm Tom McCallum an Elite Cyclist from New Zealand, I am currently riding for the Couplands Bakeries Elite Cycling Team.
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Nailed it! Chch nationals course was awesome. They have to capitalize on the unbelievable number of pro's and near pro's that we have at the moment otherwise this era will pass by and the next gen will disappear.
Hit the nail on the head Tom. Cycling NZ needs to wake up to reality. It's just pure cynical laziness or incompetence. So many things about this "governing body" coming out over the last couple of years just shows that it's a completely dysfunctional organization. I hope that others with a great platform like yourself keep pressing this issue - keep it up and don't get disheartened because I think voices and advocacy like this is the only way change can be affected in NZ. Great take. Cheers
The problem with cycling in NZ is cycling new zealand.
As the governing body, they have over $7M in revenue but can't afford to hold decent events, drive growth in the sport or provide a platform for a better future.
The reason we're seeing guys like you get teams together is because its the only way the sport will progress until CNZ have a reset. Until then they'll still remain a handbrake.
Frustrating to say the least but they could atleast look at other successful counties and take a page or two from what they do. E.g team GB for road and the swiss for XCO
Brother send me your details to me to me private pls
holdup they have how much revenue?
@@mystarafilms www.cyclingnewzealand.nz/assets/CNZ/Resources/Organisation-Documents/CNZ-Annual-Report-2021.pdf Page 34
I remember seeing Julian Dean in a criterium in the middle of Newmarket, Auckland once. It drew a big crowd, media and was epic! So sad what it’s come to. Would have loved to have gone and watched but....Tokoroa
Thank you for posting this vid. Make Cycling a viewers sport again! Share and grow the sport🔥
I loved the Nats when down in ChCh, as such a cool atmosphere and heaps of people. Also cool riding the plebs event the day before with elite guys practising on the course, and passing us up the climb like they were on a Sunday ride. While we were all maxing our HR's out! Even got paced back to the lead bunch after getting dropped, by a conti-pro riding over 40kph into a headwind! Super inspiring and a fantastic experience for a fan like me.
Beautiful! Tom you rock. Eloquent, to the point, and using your platform to get it out there. Hats off to you buddy! 🙏🙏👍👍
juicy title, good to see some passion, and well-spoken, MTB Nz has suffered under the BikeNZ banner as well.
Nice one Tom - 100% agree , Cycling NZ doesn’t care about road. That was obvious in the choice to not help fund cyclists to Australia for World Champs. Then try to jump on the band wagon after they medaled.
CNZ issues behind the scenes for years (and the death of a prominent female cyclist that was caused by that ) seem to have turned them into an organisation that doesn’t support cyclists anymore.
Keep up your great work and great to see some one do passionate about the event!
❤Cycling tom for Prime Minister ❤️
I couldn't agree with you more! Absolute madness. The poor medal winners will never be able to go back and watch how it unfolded. They have been robbed. Bring back CHC, that event was phenomenal!
I couldnt agree more, this is a national champions race and we need national level organiser, not some dart-spot on the map and okay-here-we-go-Tokoroa
Well said mate. Tried to find some coverage of the race over here in Australia and was disappointed to find there was none. Another point is cycling NZ team was one of the only world cycling bodies not fund their cyclists to attend Worlds in Wollongong last year, embarrassing.
It’s not just cycling. If you wanted to go to the Olympic Games in a 49er (sailing) a four year cycle will set you back $500,000NZD to fund it. If you want to do sports at an elite level you need to be loaded.
Bring back crit nationals in Auckland
honestly 1000% agree I don't think anybody should have an issue with it being somewhere where there can be crowds you've just gotta market it as a fun community event like the cycle classic - make it a festival not just a bunch of roadies closing the roads yk
Absolutely agree 100% mate! I feel your frustration at what an absolute joke of an event that was. CNZ absolutely need to step it up and get their s#!t together for the next one...
Tom, before having a spray at bikenz, it'd be good form to get a comment from them on the reason for using tokoroa. You gloss over the traffic management issue, but it's not simply a case of 'we've got to do it'. Local councils have the say as to whether you can run an event or not. I have helped run significant events and have seen a number close simply because local council as the reading authority vetoes the use of any road they like. Also the availability of volunteers is an enormous issue.
Yes this is a great point. The challenge with nationals not being in Christchurch is for this reason. That Christchurch city council we’re unwilling to support which made us cost prohibitive. This year in Christchurch we’re potentially seeing the demise of road cycling with traffic management becoming so expensive that even local races would become unaffordable… another tray we see a lack of investment into Road, Cycling by Cycling New Zealand is the funding mechanism is based on winning medals at the Olympics in the Commonwealth games. If you look at where we win most medals, it’s on the track! Therefore CNZ is most motivated to put there efforts there.
Awesome video Tom! Could not agree more with everything you said.
Takapuna for the win - 1000s of people and you could sit down and down a few beevies watching the pros after riding in the social race!
It was awesome when it was in Christchurch as well. Big crowds, great atmosphere, great course in an urban area that was well supported by the community. So yeah let's move it from there to closed rural roads where no one goes! WTF?!
As someone from and living in the USA, I can still see why it was frustrating to have Pro Nationals in Tokoroa. A quick search on Google Maps revealed to me that this is a small town in the middle of nowhere. I did notice an airport right outside the town but I’m guessing it doesn’t have much commercial service. I couldn’t imagine if we had our equivalent event take place in some small town that didn’t even have proper roads for media coverage. That said we do have Unbound Gravel in Kansas and that goes though thick and thin of rural America. I hope Cycling NZ watch this video and take your feedback and criticisms into account when deciding how to improve things. Kiwi cyclists deserve the same resources and coverage as cyclists anywhere else in the world!
Seems like they should hold it on the same fixed course with proper coverage every year... Maybe Chch.
good point. follow the australian model - they have it in ballarat. would make all the organization easier year to year.
That was our proposal in 2010. BikeNZ lost sight of this in 2016.
Good on you speaking up
Just watched this Tom. I didn’t know that the race was in the Tokoroa forests. CSC (Timaru) have put their hand up to run it this year. If it wasn’t for them it is possible the event would have sunk without trace. The Age Group Nationals only happened this year because CSC stepped up and they put on a good event but it was no thanks to Cycling NZ. In terms of road racing in Christchurch, little ole Leeston with its Thursday night 16km h/c is now the biggest club going by the jerseys on show at the AGN’s (appologies to Chch Track and TT clubs who continue to run strong events). Pegasus Club has shut down as it all got too hard. I doubt that CNZ noticed. You are right cycling at this level is in dire straits.
One of the best well structured rants I've heard for a while, good stuff Tom.
Unfortunately, CNZ have so many problems, Road has been poor cousin to Track for many years and they're obviously trying to save $ wherever possible.
One thing you didn't mention was the lack of media - the live timing was the only thing available on the 'net. Surely they could've put up a token gesture of Facebook, Insta, Twitter progress updates throughout the RR's for minimal cost (put a kid in a following car, there would've been many volunteers if they'd asked!).
Yes, CHCH was great, but it'll never be run the same course again, too much development in that area since and I understand the traffic management cost was very high (I was told a figure, but it was hearsay so I won't repeat it, but let's say it was big) back then, it'll have multiplied to put on the same course again so takes it further out of reach.
I think it was Julian Dean who commented years ago about the racing being in front of a few cows and sheep - while the desire may be there for decent crowds and more convenient courses to get to etc, it's looking like future years are going to be this way too.
Steve the event cost us $238k to run when in Chch. Every cent was raised by my team. Bring cycling to the people was our motto. It breaks my heart to see it go backwards back into the dark ages.
@@tailwind11 Yes, with you there 100% Simon. That figure was in the range of what I'd heard, and what it'd be now to run it the same would be multiplied. It was a great even down here, coincidently I wore the t-shirt a couple of days ago I got for helping out at it.
I agree with you. Perhaps you are the solution Tom. Put your hand up to run Cycling New Zealand or get involved on committee. You could have a great impact. If the wrong people are running it, making decisions you disagree with, get together with those that share your vision and make the changes that you see are necessary. Have a crack.
Further more I think they should explain why. When to watch Tour Down Under now that's a event. Agree Jorge runs an amazing Cycle Classic maybe they could get him to run it for them.
total agree Tom part of running this event is to have t.v coverage or intranet access , there is a lot too meet to apply for this event , CNZ must have eased the rules to get a group to take the event on . there was no information to say how to access any coverage of this event, only a fake site saying live coverage . Herd many say they wanted to watch our top cyclist racing it out .
Well said Tom! The Nationals should be a celebration of NZ cyclists. All these guys and girls are just incredible athletes, train so hard week in week out and deserve better. We need big events to pull the crowds, create the atmosphere, and inspire the young kids to become the next champions. CNZ hiding it away, keeping it all one big secret, and refusing to communicate with fans asking questions on their facebook page about coverage etc was just weird.
Stumbled across this and was instantly outraged. Couldn't agree more. I love Tokoroa, but no. Kudos for speaking up.
Unfortunately Cycling in NZ has always been agenda driven and short sighted. I rode in the early 90's as a teen. There were no development courses, no skills training. As a late starter to the sport all the talent had been identified and club captains and coaches were openly hostile towards me beating their prodigies, never mind offering support to develop my riding. I love what you are attempting to do with the youth team and the channel. Keep it up!! Don't let the old guard wear you down.
If we could do 1/10th of what Cycling Australia do in Buninyong each year we would have an incredible road nats event. Buninyong is 1.5 hours from Melbourne yet it draws in thousands of spectators on the hill, and for those that don't make the pilgrimage there is amazing TV coverage on SBS.
It's not going to change here without significant investment from sponsors and CNZ, and that investment should be a matter of priority because this is an event that showcases our best cycling talent, inspires the next generation of racers and helps build our local cycling communities.
The event and coverage this year was disgraceful. CNZ should hang their heads in shame. Move it back to Christchurch, use a consistent course, and spend money to broadcast it. With consistent financial investment it will grow year on year, but if we keep doing what we're doing then it'll die.
There are several complex factors in countries line NZ. The size of the population, cycling is not a national sport in NZ, and relactance of national bodies, and even leading cyclist to promote the sport. In Australia, also had been semilar situation, but country is much bigger, and somehow over recent decade it become more popular, it relates to profits organizers can make on events, sponsorship and advertising. Cycling is very specific sport, even in Netherlands, or Switzerland some towns are not investing much into infrastructure, because of local mentality, or city council don't see much in it.
Well said mate! Totally agree with every point you made. I have been saying for a while now that cycling NZ is joke of an organisation. It’s needs a shake up.
Normally I can't be bothered listening to whingers but this is not a whinge from Tom. This is hitting the nail on the head. I was embarrassed for the entrants to this event, what should be one of the highlights of the cycling calendar in NZ was a whimper. What has to happen now is someone from Cycling NZ to front up and either explain clearly what their thinking was in how the event was put together, or apologise for getting it so wrong and dramatic improvements will be undertaken. I'm not holding my breath!
Agree, so disappointed with the coverage. Hold it in Napier, Cambridge, or back in christchurch.
And don’t blame Dynamo for stepping in and helping out with the race. They were doing their utmost best to run an awesome event. Not their fault Cycling NZ can’t support any level of racing
100% Tom, I don’t understand why they do the same with Age group nationals
You couldn’t be more right Tom. I hope those you are addressing have the ears to listen.
Let's face it it's not Cycling New Zealand it's Track cycling New Zealand, road cycling in this country had been left in the doldrums for years
It's not even that... It's "High Performance Track Cycling NZ"
I guess this feedback is insightful for event organizers. However as a person who knows nothing about the nationals I am curious as to why the event was held there.
Nice vid Tom. Not the first time they have gotten things wrong
Good rant! I'm a Kiwi living in Sydney atm but have been cycling since I was a kid at the Wanganui Amateur Road Cycling Club. Having lived in London, Thailand, and Australia, and travelled a lot elsewhere, I think the comment someone made below about NZ stacks up - it's just rugby, rugby, and more ... *yawn* rugby. The fixation on the All Blacks is just, well, embarassing. Yes there are other great athletes coming out of NZ, but when you look at the road cycling around the world, particularly England, and even Thailand, it's WAY more popular than NZ. Seems a bit strange given everyone who adventure rides seems to rave about cycling the length of NZ. I plan to try it myself this coming Summer.
So it's sad but not surprising to hear Cycling NZ is such a shambles. Shame - it's a real sporting and tourism loss for NZ.
The first time u got in to a nz team we had to give our nz gear back not even got to keep it. Cycling nz was broke. We just had to pay our own way. It's always be a shambles and let people down. In the 90s there was no under 15 etc category so they weren't even encouraging young riders.
Australia does it well by holding it in Ballarat and have not changed it for years
Agreed i dont even ride anymore but when i found out it was in Tokoroa was thinking WTF
Hey mate, what software you use to track the teams? A gynormeous spreadsheet or something else?
The problem with cycling in NZ is that Cycling NZ do absolutely nothing to support the sport. Never mind professionals. How many races do Cycling NZ run for any level of racing?
You think road has it tough...CNZ don’t bother with MTB even though there are loads of top 10 kiwis in XC, Enduro and Downhill on the world stage. It is all about Track which is ridiculous when you consider the numbers taking part. Come on CNZ, have some vision.
Bring back Christchurch Nationals! Easy to get through traffic management!
I beg to disagree… traffic management was one of the biggest challenges
bit of a rant but you're not wrong, CNZ couldn't organise a bun fight in a bakery
Got it in one bud think u need to get Rid of the old guard and get some younger fresh faces in there
Well said!
Spot on Tommy
Well said Tom
this makes British cycling partnering with shell look like a small problem. I sense your frustration. Absolutely terrible organisation
Good rant.
I couldn't agree with you more Tom! It's a joke. Cycling NZ Don't give a s#@ t about Road Cycling and they should be totally ashamed of what they put on. We have some amazing Road guys & girls at the moment. And why would they want to come all the way hear to be involved in that other than want to promo the sport.
well said .
Before watching this... Was about to ask you why there was no coverage and now I know why... I am from Nz but can honestly say I have never heard of Tokaroa.
Valid rant Tom. However it is all about the $ and the $ come from the track Cycling NZ don't care about road and it shows. When the likes of GB etc don't go to the Worlds in Aus because they have to self fund it - coming from European bases - it is a joke. The NZ Road Nats are just a reflection of how they see things.
Apart from that.....
You're so right what a disgrace cycling NZ is joke
Very well spoken and what we are all thinking.
I pity the poor sod who was employed to do the marketing and then told the event would be on roads purpose-built for the MTB Nationals and in a town whose tourism slogan is ''if you need accommodation, try Taupo''.
Presume the organisers are getting some $$ in their back pockets
Absolutely not. That's part of the problem. These events generally cost the organisers. Tom's comment about Jorge's race is interesting. All the cycle classic this year was in out of the way places, on ircuits or a very short circuit in miramar solely because of the cost of traffic management
Sounds like a joke, something needs to change.
In NZ cycling a not deemed a sport.
Rugby is a sport. Rugby gets all the money and privilages, whilst the majority of other sports fight for the left overs.
Sad when cycling delivers for NZ in the Olympics and Commonwealth games. A consistent performer.
Its been this way for as long as I can remember. Alot of our one day race classics like the Palmy to Wellington were canned in the late 80's.
I dont think the Taupo to Napeir is still going....
And obviously this shows with events like the NZ Nationals.
The sport needs some corporate hitters behind it and its own pool of cash.....
Well said Tom
Well said!