How do you spot a talented rider?

[Shaun]

Glen has at least another 12 months ( More realy) of growing to do yet I think. I want him to stay on his K5 GSXR for the winter series, then move onto a current model for the champs.

When the next round of the national are over, WE will all see what the future has for him then?

As he is an apprentice Tool maker- His trade will be in demand big time in the USA, and that is where I want to get him to! Or Ireland maybe??

[svr]

Unfortunately for NZ, the international racing scene has moved on in terms of proffessionalism, so its closer to other high-level sports now.
IMHO International level `Talent' means:
1. you have natural ability (i.e. you have generally been better than you peers)
2. you have learnt the physical skills from a young age (i.e done the activity alot - well on the way to the 10yrs and 10,000 hrs required to be `world class' at anything, )
3. you have reasonable intelligence, high psychological drve, egotistical ambition and the social skills or good fortune to have (preferably wealthy and connected) people around and behind you.

[codgyoleracer]

Slightly off-subject but relevant: One of the mind numbing facts of "natural talent" that i am aware of is Max Biaggi. Never ridden or been a part of motorcycling until he hopped on a mates bike at a trackday when he was 18. ...... 3 years later he was a European champ , 2 years after that a world champion........ WOW ! (Even though he does seem a bit weird)

[Shaun]

Slightly off-subject but relevant: One of the mind numbing facts of "natural talent" that i am aware of is Max Biaggi. Never ridden or been a part of motorcycling until he hopped on a mates bike at a trackday when he was 18. ...... 3 years later he was a European champ , 2 years after that a world champion........ WOW ! (Even though he does seem a bit weird)

weird mmmmmm Gay I reckon

[codgyoleracer]

weird mmmmmm Gay I reckon

Highly likely ducky

[FROSTY:Me]

IN my opinion the indicator of a real winner is how they recover from a decent setback. Most often that setback is a reasonable crash.
Thats not talent per say I know but I think it weeds out the people that actually dont really want to win at all costs.
Young miss Biddle for example had a pretty decent crash yet she just gets faster and faster.

[svr]

weird mmmmmm Gay I reckon

No, Italian.
Shags alot of hot woman for a gay guy!

Cadalora was another real late starter (ex road rider)

[Skunk]

Most often that setback is a reasonable crash.

Glens been there. Concrete wall at 160.

[FROSTY:Me]

Glens been there. Concrete wall at 160.

Yea so's young two smoker

[Duke girl]

There is actually alot of talent out there of all ages and alot of good role models for the up and coming youngsters to look up to. A few I can name are Local riders such as Glen Williams, Peter Tanner, Tony O'Keeffe, Glenn Skachill, Avalon Biddle, Bruce Telford and Craig Shirriff and Andrew Stroud.
Its just a shame that these riders aren't more known than just hear in NZ as I am sure that if they had the opportunity to make it overseas then they would do NZ Motrcycle racing proud.

[Tony.OK]

There is actually alot of talent out there of all ages and alot of good role models for the up and coming youngsters to look up to. A few I can name are Local riders such as Glen Williams, Peter Tanner, Tony O'Keeffe, Glenn Skachill, Avalon Biddle, Bruce Telford and Craig Shirriff and Andrew Stroud.
Its just a shame that these riders aren't more known than just hear in NZ as I am sure that if they had the opportunity to make it overseas then they would do NZ Motrcycle racing proud.

Crickey..............How'd my name get in there

Don't forget Choppa...(Sloan)............can't wait to see how he goes on the new Suzuki.......................nah I do know actually, way faster than me haha

[oyster]

And further to my belief that talent spotting (and development) is more a socialist process than elitist one. Shaun, I my opinion you would be the first "top level" road racer in NZ to take the time study our young ones with a view to assisting them. A what outstanding input you've given since. You'll never know how much your suppport meant to young 13 year old Shaun, with the major physical disability, who lived at "No 37" He'll not likely be a champion but he's a great rider, and now is a man. Helped by you. And just recently, you took the time to help 13 yo Renee. Realistically she can't even ride a bike yet! But she WANTS to. Part of the motivation is YOU. Thanks Shaun.
Get the picture everyone? Build the wide foundation of a pyramid and in time the peak will be very high and very sharp.

[lostinflyz]

Slightly off-subject but relevant: One of the mind numbing facts of "natural talent" that i am aware of is Max Biaggi. Never ridden or been a part of motorcycling until he hopped on a mates bike at a trackday when he was 18. ...... 3 years later he was a European champ , 2 years after that a world champion........ WOW ! (Even though he does seem a bit weird)

while this is true whats the feller done for the last say 5-6 years. So much potential/talent but not much else really.

looking through most racers (pro's generally) there are guys with talent (heaps of it) and then guys with the right attitude to understanding more than just riding (i.e. bikes and people)but maybe not quite so talented. These two groups of people usually end up at the same level. These guys ebb and flow alot so can be hot or cold depending how things are around them. good bike, track or team and they fast as, something off and they just can never quite make it happen.

Then there are the guys who have talent and the right attitude (and probably intelligence) to understanding the entire racing system. These guys hardly ever lose, and tend to be very consistent performers with very few weak points to their racing.

[Mishy]

I reckon some guys (or girls) just have it - and mostly you just don't need to look too hard to see it. Sketchy is a good example, and he looked good from the first time he went bucket racing ( yes, i remember that Glen !) and you will find a whole heap of other kids that showed promise early, and results better than you would expect on the machinery they were on - they just look good doing it. Dom Jones, Sam Smith, Nick Cole,Jay Lawrence, Avalon Biddle, and a host of others all came from Buckets or Classics, and they all punched above thier weight early on, and you just can't help but notice that

[Shaun]

And further to my belief that talent spotting (and development) is more a socialist process than elitist one. Shaun, I my opinion you would be the first "top level" road racer in NZ to take the time study our young ones with a view to assisting them. A what outstanding input you've given since. You'll never know how much your suppport meant to young 13 year old Shaun, with the major physical disability, who lived at "No 37" He'll not likely be a champion but he's a great rider, and now is a man. Helped by you. And just recently, you took the time to help 13 yo Renee. Realistically she can't even ride a bike yet! But she WANTS to. Part of the motivation is YOU. Thanks Shaun.
Get the picture everyone? Build the wide foundation of a pyramid and in time the peak will be very high and very sharp.

Thanks Pete. I got a signed photo from Renee saying thanks for your help, that realy impressed me.