How do you spot a talented rider?

[GSVR]

Been thinking about how someone gets recognised as a talent. I read how around two years after Andrew Stroud started racing he won the Production 250 class ahead of Aaron Slight. We all know the story after that with Andrew getting many prestigous rides and winning more championships.

[wbks]

Well for starters he only got a real bike at 15 so that gives you a bit of an idea if whether he's a natural or not when he is beating Aaron...

[AllanB]

I find that they are usually in front of me

[johnsv650]

if people protest about his bike or say hes to young........ he must be worrying to them

[GSVR]

if people protest about his bike or say hes to young........ he must be worrying to them

You mean like Karl Morgan or Sam Love. Which one do you consider has the most talent? After all Sam broke all Karls records didn't he?

[roogazza]

Been thinking about how someone gets recognised as a talent. I read how around two years after Andrew Stroud started racing he won the Production 250 class ahead of Aaron Slight. We all know the story after that with Andrew getting many prestigous rides and winning more championships.

One word G, results !

[oyster]

First of all get a class that's level playing feild (they all ride the same stuff) and make it accessible to a wide population. Varying ages, riding background
socio etc. Then provide prenty of riding oportunities on a variety of tracks, supported by coaching across the group (not focussed on any individual).
Then spotting it is easy, the talented ones are fast, consistent, learn incrementally and stay on the bike most of the time. They also get good results by adding a clear head to their talent. Over 10 years and supporting over 100 teenagers in the South Island, I've enjoyeed the odd "diversion' by pravately picking out talent. In most cases the obvious emergence of the talent doesn't occur until "well down the track"
The bigggest risk to new talent is frantic and overwhelming attention by people wanting to support someone really not thinking of the riders welfare but their own ambitions and ego.

[scrivy]

Been thinking about how someone gets recognised as a talent.

Dude, it's easy!! It's when you have to beat people back with a stick, cause they are always after your autograph!!

[slowpoke]

Dude, it's easy!! It's when you have to beat people back with a stick, cause they are always after your autograph!!

You'd know all about that Scrivy! I reckon you would have signed a few boobs in your time, eh?

[Hoon]

Spotting talent is firstly seen when you are on the racetrack battling against them. You can see where they are better than you and how much better than you they are. Only on the racetrack are you able to assess the full skillset required to be a talented racer.

This is what leaves a lasting impression and sometimes has you returning to the pits in amazement of what you have just witnessed. Eventually more people form the same opinion and word gets around.

[johnsv650]

some go great one year, then go backwards the next year,
is it women, booze, lazyness, machinery, others in class or growth of competetion , suspension knowledge, too much knowledge, pressure , schooling time , desire, amont of crashes, sponsorship pressures, team happiness, tyres, motors........
could be one of the above or many of the above and i may have missed some or alot also..........
chris ozzy 450 might have some clever idea's......2 meeting 2 laps records what a record ......

[Shaun]

The bigggest risk to new talent is frantic and overwhelming attention by people wanting to support someone really not thinking of the riders welfare but their own ambitions and ego.

Agree with this mate. I had set out this year to help a certain rider for 2 reasons

1- My buisness name and promoion which = ME ME ME

2- Because the guy I choise to help IS BLOODY GOOD

I have since decided to sit way back from the scene, I supplied his Race suspension parts ( With very good support from CKT, thanks Ohlins) and some spare wheels ( I have them mate if you read this) and have Now passed on some product given to me from a past sponsor for him to sell himself and to pay for his entry fees, it is also my intention to move him up to a current model 600 for the NZ champs later in the year.

I can hep him big time from the back ground, whilst letting him manage himself basically and learning about how to deal with the buisness side of the life, which I am very confident he will achieve well at.

[wharfy]

some go great one year, then go backwards the next year,
is it women, booze, lazyness, machinery, others in class or growth of competetion , suspension knowledge, too much knowledge, pressure , schooling time , desire, amont of crashes, sponsorship pressures, team happiness, tyres, motors........
could be one of the above or many of the above and i may have missed some or alot also..........
chris ozzy 450 might have some clever idea's......2 meeting 2 laps records what a record ......

He obviously has the knack of spotting talent, but Glen Skachill was not an overnight sensation, he has worked hard and had some top coaching (He sold his own bike to get the dough for the Moto Academy - a damn good move, and shows just how smart he is). He has raw talent for sure but that is only the begining.

I like his style, and he seems like a good guy as well (although I don't really know him).

Umm... that still doesn't answer the question of how to spot talent in a racer, maybe if I had some I would know what to look for ??

[Skunk]

How to tell a good up and coming? Easy.
Who is doing what with what equipment. Not just who's at the front.
Attitude.
Ambition.

Agree with this mate. I had set out this year to help a certain rider for 2 reasons
1- My buisness name and promoion which = ME ME ME
2- Because the guy I choise to help IS BLOODY GOOD
I have since decided to sit way back from the scene, I supplied his Race suspension parts ( With very good support from CKT, thanks Ohlins) and some spare wheels ( I have them mate if you read this) and have Now passed on some product given to me from a past sponsor for him to sell himself and to pay for his entry fees, it is also my intention to move him up to a current model 600 for the NZ champs later in the year.
I can hep him big time from the back ground, whilst letting him manage himself basically and learning about how to deal with the buisness side of the life, which I am very confident he will achieve well at.

Yep, I've watched that guy and now I do what I can (f-all). His 'can-do' attitude was the first thing I saw. Talking to him shows his ambition. And he can tell what's going on with the bike but doesn't blame it, he fixes it.

Glen Skachill was not an overnight sensation, he has worked hard and had some top coaching (He sold his own bike to get the dough for the Moto Academy - a damn good move, and shows just how smart he is). He has raw talent for sure but that is only the begining.
I like his style, and he seems like a good guy as well (although I don't really know him).
Umm... that still doesn't answer the question of how to spot talent in a racer, maybe if I had some I would know what to look for ??

He sold his road bike to get the 600 he has now too. I believe he has the talent, attitude, and sense to do well. If only he was more forward in asking for help!

[nudemetalz]

Glen (Sketchy-Racer)has talent alright.
Not just his awesome riding/racing ability, but his whole attitude. Not some of the usual "I like me" ego's you see but unafraid to help people out where he can and then go and set blistering lap records.
I agree with Skunk though, but I think he will be more forthright with asking for help/sponsorship.
Nudemetalz Ltd will be helping him out this year...