Vet Pro

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Vet Pro

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Topic: Vet Pro (Read 5645 times)

Bemman
Jr. Member

Posts: 77

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #30 on: March 29, 2012, 05:48:38 PM »

Is Vet Pro fact or fantasy?

Quite a while since this thread had anything new and while there always seems to be interest in, and calls to offer Vet Pro classes, the reality is that this is poorly supported and suspect will go the same way as Dinosaurs and Championship Cruiser.

Just need to look at the entries for the 2012 Nationals to demonstrate the lack of support or interest in Vet Pro.

30+ Masters (a UCI Category), 7 entries.

Masters Cruiser, newly introduced as an Australian Catogory, 3 entries Sad

Not even enough to form a class with these three being merged back into Challenge.

So does anyone think there is a future for Vet Pro at National level?


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Mr Ex Speaker
Hero Member

Posts: 769

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #31 on: March 29, 2012, 11:00:01 PM »

No value for money perhaps.
Cheers


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Munchkin
Full Member

Posts: 185

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #32 on: March 30, 2012, 06:28:25 AM »

At state and national level it should be madatory, that if you have won a title in the previous year, they should be in masters in that event. Eg, if you have won a title in any 30+ class you automatically go into 30+ masters.

I am just a hack, competitive but not in the pointy end of the field, i am entering in Vet Pro, i make the fast guys work but am not strong/fast enough to win.

We all know there are plenty of riders that should be in A or AA but elect to ride age class, the governing bodies should step in and say they must irde the approriate class.

When it comes to state/national, i keep forgetting that masters is their, but really would not ride as the class should be filled with riders that would smash me, eg Tony Harvey and the like.


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bmxhertz
Newbie

Posts: 25

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #33 on: March 30, 2012, 10:20:04 AM »

Quote from: Curly on October 26, 2007, 04:14:41 PM

I think the concepts you are talking about warrant further expansion as it's not just affecting the 30+ classes but the whole sport. If you have less than 16 riders in any class then combine age classes across the board as riding against the same people in every motto aint that exciting and does nothing for:
- improving rider skills through greater competition
- spectators watching the same people in the same motto time and time again
- race meets which drag on due to having 3-4 riders in mottos
You can always score the mottos based on rider ages when you have merged classes if you desire.

Bring on a general 30+ Class with a Vet Pro Open Wheel and Amatuer Open Wheel and that way people can race either or both and if there are enough competitors split it up with a 40+ class. Leave the 5 year bracketed age classes for the State and National events when you have the numbers to support it.

It's a shame a format that appeals to all riders hasn't been worked out. If BMX is to become anything more than a fringe sport with little growth prospects then it needs to make changes to add more excitement and interest in the sport.
For example, at Club events age classes are combined by ranking riders according to ability which makes for fun racing where everyone can compete at a challenging level. Yet this format does not seem to be adopted at open meets.

Because BMX is such a technically difficult sport like Tennis why keep grouping ages together because a 9 year old whose been riding for 4 years is going to be a damn sight faster than any new 9 year old. Grade riders on ability as it works in other sports and would make it more enjoyable for everyone. Age is only one factor in BMX racing so why treat it purely on this basis. Looking at the dynamics that have made other sports successful would be a good start.

There's a lot of options which I think BMX has yet to explore.

AB

Here here. We grade A and AA pro,s but wont grade a 9 year old. Its the way forward. 30+ Vet pro and Vet Am would be awesome.


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Psykopath
Hero Member

Posts: 1,414

http://www.psykopath.com/

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #34 on: March 30, 2012, 02:27:50 PM »

Quote from: Bemman on March 29, 2012, 05:48:38 PM

Not even enough to form a class with these three being merged back into Challenge.

So does anyone think there is a future for Vet Pro at National level?

Vet Pro at a state level has some traction.
- 2 gates at each round of the Pro Tour in Vic.
- 2 gates in WA Super Series rounds for several years (riders also riding separate 20 inch age classes).

Fast 30+ riders are competitive in A Pro……..or higher...

Three of our Olympic hopefuls are close to Vet Pro age:
- KY97 is 28
- Brian Kirkham is 27
- Luke Madill is 32

None of these guys are looking to race Masters at Nationals anytime soon.

For Nationals there are too many 20inch classes for 30+:
-   30+ Masters
-   30+ Challenge
-   35-39
-   40-44
-   45-49
-   50+ years

At least 30-34 has been removed. Only the first two classes are UCI classes.......so BMXA / NOD could amalgmate other classes as:
- 30+ Master
- 30+ Challenge
- 40+ Veteran
- 40+ Challenge

This Master and Veteran are offered at a national level in the UK.
Seems that most Vet Pro at State level are 40+……

Some of the most anticipated racing was 30+ Masters at 2009 Nationals; 29 riders including:
-   Karl MUSTCHIN
-   Daniel SPRAGUE
-   Justin LAMB
-   Simon ANDERSON
-   Julian LIM
-   Daniel YUJNOVICH
-   Kamahl LORD
-   Brett SCRUSE
-   HRV
-   Jade MCPHERSON
-   Marco DELL'ISOLA (GB import)

2009 Nationals was qualifier for Worlds in Australia and only UCI classes were offered:
30+ Challenge had 76 riders.


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PSYKOPATH INDUSTRIES

Castro Pull - Aluminum Race Frame

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Travo
Sr. Member

Posts: 266

I may not be fast but fun is guaranteed

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #35 on: April 01, 2012, 10:25:52 PM »

I think that the depth of VetPro in Vic is great there are plenty of fast guys and lots more that are quick and getting quicker, I for one love it.

Travo


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HoleShot Industries.Net, Clayborn Australia,Five and 1/2.

dorn
Full Member

Posts: 204

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #36 on: April 02, 2012, 09:12:58 AM »

no aussie plated riders from last year have entered in 2011 which is dissapointing but i think you ll find most of these guys (including myself) have either moved on from the sport, had major work commitments etc . No too much to read into this the general numbers for Mt Gambier look low....elite men were 44 last year and only 27 this year... .

Most years the numbers in Masters are higher than elite women and there is no discussion on dropping that class nor should there be!

Lifting the age will not do anything to improve the numbers but only lower the standard of racing. I went to race Vet Pro in the us last year but had to race A pro as 12 months earlier they raised the age to VET Pro age to 33. Most of the rumours behind this were that it was to prevent ex AA's like Derek Betcher coming into the class and beating them....sounded like an old boys club to me....

the class is legit and is here to stay and will become more relevant as BMX gets older....


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just for fun
Full Member

Posts: 163

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #37 on: April 02, 2012, 05:23:44 PM »

im 46 and quite happy to race any vet pro class if you can ride O/W as for instance i would ride my cruiser because of the worlds coming up and swapping bikes is a bit much nowadays.
i have a 1a plate but don't agree i should be forced to enter vet because of it you will lose riders if they have no choice!


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Kiwis123
Full Member

Posts: 100

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #38 on: April 03, 2012, 03:09:28 PM »

But the other side to that is that we lose riders who don't want to go and pay the big bucks to go to Nationals and States just to make up numbers and see how much we can lose by. I don't agree with the 30+ as you have guys in there mid to late 40's competing with 30 year olds. Where is the incentive there? But then that puts them fairly and squarely in my shoes. I love riding with my kids and enjoy racing but am definitely fed up with lining BMXA and BMXV's pockets for no return. I know you guys can kick my butt, don't really need to pay for the proof.

Cheers Kiwi.


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GT Interceptor
Full Member

Posts: 226

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #39 on: April 06, 2012, 06:14:11 PM »

Our Super Series in WA has a Vet Pro Cruiser class. I love it.

It's 30+ & it is always up the top of the race order so that we get to ride another class be it age 20" or whatever age cruiser you ride.

I don't feel that the age gap is a huge factor over here. There a plenty of 40+ riders that can shape up to the 30+ riders.


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Supported by A Team Distro.

just for fun
Full Member

Posts: 163

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #40 on: April 07, 2012, 08:44:14 AM »

there are a few riders in vic at the moment who could ride vet quite competitively but don't turn up and support the class or ride age for the trophy,
in the end they lose out because avoiding guys your speed will ultimately make you slower and reduce your skill level.
so I'm more impressed by the guys who might not win but will push hard even to make the finals.
make no mistake about it some of the vet races are as entertaining as any other pro class, we have averaged about 12 vets at each pro tour round with at least 5 not turning up for what ever reason!


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Karlos
Newbie

Posts: 17

Re: Vet Pro
« Reply #41 on: May 31, 2012, 08:37:53 PM »

I hear all this, but how many was there at the nationals this year - 7. Something has happened to this class. Where did all the riders go or have they all floated back to age class.