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Sponsered riders???

35 posts & 17 voices | Started 2 years ago by Nezbo | Latest reply from cycleactive

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Nezbo - Member

A little while back, there was a post regarding sponsorship and it got me thinking, how do people get sponsored?

I am not saying that i am good enough or fast enough or good looking enough or what ever it takes but... (But i am not slow or unskilled, it maybe the looks thats letting me down hehe)

In most if not all races i regularly pass team riders in races (most of the time i start mid pack hence the passing).

Also what do most team riders get out of it? ie Cheep bits of kit, or free stuff, or just to say they ride for a team... i guess the top riders get everything but i am on about the local team riders.

Posted 2 years ago #
dmiller - Member

just to say they ride for a team

This would be cool enough for me tbh - it would be nice bragging rights!

Posted 2 years ago #
clubber - Member

Either a shop/sponsor asks if you want sponsorship or more commonly you go an ask, lots.

Usually it's just cheap (trade price + VAT) parts and race kit - you need to be pretty decent to start getting proper free stuff IME

Or you join a club who are sponsored and get the same sort of deal.

Posted 2 years ago #
lyons - Member

Start further forward in the pack then...

Posted 2 years ago #
Nezbo - Member

Start further forward in the pack then...

i never thought of that hehe

I start where i think i should be, i still start near the front but some time you just cant tell who are fast and who are not, and a lot go like stink at the start then bomb very quickly.

Posted 2 years ago #
njee20 - Member

In most if not all races i regularly pass team riders in races (most of the time i start mid pack hence the passing).

But how do you know they're team riders? The team I ride for is appended to a club, absolutely anyone can join the club, get the kit and do what they want. From that there are then a few riders chosen who get very heavily subsidised bikes, plus free helmet/gloves/shoes/socks/clothing etc.

Just because people are riding in a 'team' kit doesn't mean they're part of a team!

There's not many riders who are actually being given everything, particularly outside of Elite. So really it depends what you mean by sponsored!

Where in the country are you? Most shops have a race team, so go and talk to them if you think you're deserving.

Edit: in a creepy stalkerish sort of way, I can't actually find any race results for you other than Hit the North and the Grasmere MTB Challenge, bear in mind that the sort of people who tend to do those events are generally not the same as those in XC racing, where most of the sponsored riders are (save for 24hr soloists).

Posted 2 years ago #
MikeWW - Member

If you are serious you need to be doing ranking events. Did you compete on Sunday in R2 of British Champs?
Start getting on the podium in these events are start talking to shops, manufacturers other race teams etc and you might drop lucky. Generally starts with free kit and discounts. If you are showing real potential then you can get your bikes provided but you have to be good. If its just fun events like HTN or enduros then not going to attract much attention

Posted 2 years ago #
wwaswas - Member

I found out this morning that Elbry is being sponsored by Mountain Cycle.

I'm sure there's a lesson for us all in there on obtaining sponsorship - I'm just struggling to get past my incredulity sufficiently to articulate it.

Posted 2 years ago #
njee20 - Member

And actually having your bikes/equipment provided can be over rated, as you don't actually own it, so in September you generally give it back, then you don't have a bike! You may also end up using kit you don't want to.

Getting bikes cheap can be better, you choose what you have, then you can sell it at the end of the year and buy the next one, I've not lost any money on my race bikes for the last 4 years! Like I say, talk to your local shop, see if they have some sort of club you can get involved with, you're more likely to be picked from within a club, rather than walking in off the street!

Posted 2 years ago #
NZCol - Member

We are 'sponsored' for AR. Having now tired of the champagne breakfasts and hot and cold hookers with non stop flowing Powerade i've scaled things back to slightly more normal requests.
What does it mean ? Sometimes they pay our entry fee for big races (000's of $) , we get unlimited free kit. What do they get ? generally we name them where and when possible, we put on a small AR event for their staff xmas function, we go and talk to them about our race experiences and generally try and relate what we do in races to their business. Works both ways. We also get access to most bike stuff at trade and once i was given a carbon road bike, my only free bike ever.

Posted 2 years ago #
Iain Gillam - Member

Have a look at this thread on SDH http://www.southerndownhill.com/forum/index.php/topic,197936.15.html A gent that runs an on line shop sums it up well, if you send a CV to someone they really only want to know what you will do for the brand to sell products and what you want in return, maybe you aren't hitting the podium at national events but you might be able to promote their products in other areas that will make it worth their while giving you a discount. I've been getting help from http://www.kennyuk.co.uk/ for two years for motocross and my results are nothing special but with a bit up top you can figure out how to promote a brand. It didn't seam to work for the one on here though! Obviously you have to be getting and have the potential to get good results for high levels of sponsorship.

Iain

Posted 2 years ago #
NZCol - Member

Although to be totally fair one of my sponsors was so compelling I now own part of the company - coming to the UK soon, watch, erm, some space somewhere !

Posted 2 years ago #
njee20 - Member

I think the results thing is a very interesting question.

Is it better to have a rider who turns up to a select few races, no one knows, wins the race, doesn't talk to anyone, then goes home. Or is it better to have a rider who turns up to everything, doesn't win, but everyone knows them, they hobnob with the other riders etc. Depends what the brand wants I guess, some small bike brands do just want exposure, and the actual results are not particularly significant.

I think sponsorship is far less 'rife' in racing than people imagine, there are probably fewer than 100 MTBers in the UK who are actually being given all their kit. Every chipper in open and sport is not being given two XX equipped bikes every year!

Posted 2 years ago #
wwaswas - Member

NZCol - you should put a link to their site in your profile so we can find out all about them.

Posted 2 years ago #
thisisnotaspoon - Member

I was once offered a deal by solid to ride their slopetyle frame and parts at cost price, just for being nice! On some forums that alone makes you stand out like a sore thumb! Don't think the importers realised I was just out in the sunshine digging and riding my bike, I couldn't actualy jump for toffee!

A lot of 'teams' are just that, teams, like sunday pub league football teams, not sponsored, maybe they work in the shop and get discounted kit, but quite often are just above average because they work with bikes for a living.

Posted 2 years ago #
Nezbo - Member

njee20 - I am not a big time racer, but i have been doing the Merida MTB marathons over the last couple of year and what ever race i can find localy (from .

This year i have got a lot faster and fitter to keep up with the better riders and doing a lot more races this year. I have booked my self in to the first 3 CRC Marathons, Gisburn 12hr, TransWales and the Ultimate trails event. I came 33 in the first CRC race and 15th in Master and 33mins behind Nick Craig (doing the full loop inc forest), but i tand to chat to a lot of people on the way round (thats why i know some of them are sponsored) So i guess i am never going to win against the Wippets.

I used to race for a LBS when i was a youth, but ths shop is not longer there

I dont think it is for the free kit or free stuff i would just be nice maybe a team Jearsey and shorts would be nice But i dont want to pay for team kit when i have no involment with them etc...

Posted 2 years ago #
miketually - Member

Coming last in one of the two 'races' I entered last year worked for me

Posted 2 years ago #
njee20 - Member

Well clothing should be easy to come by in any team. You can join our club if you want.

West Drayton MBC

We do all manner of clothing, which is subsidised to memebers, organise races and regular social rides, you get a discount at the sponsor shop Beyond Mountain Bikes etc. Not all that much use unless you're vaguely near Surrey/the South East, but similar teams exist all over the place, it shouldn't be hard to find one locally.

Unfortunately I still don't think those events (with the possible exception of Trans Wales) are the places to find the team riders. Turn up at an XC race and you'll find loads, it's actually very cliquey, and I can see why some don't like it!

Posted 2 years ago #
MikeWW - Member

nj20
Think there is a fair bit of sponsorship around.I've only been riding a couple of years but ride most weeks with at least half a doz riders who get bikes and kit provided. My 16 year old has just started riding for a team and gets kit etc.

Posted 2 years ago #
PlumzRichard - Member

if your a adult 18+ then the only way to get real "good Quality" sponsership is to buy a raceing liscense, race the BNPS in sport one year (top 5 that) race expert the year after (top 5 that) and then on the 3rd year race elite, as well as BNPS i would recomend raceing midland races, southern races and any other xc National point ranking races to boost your points. I would also try showing your faces at a few of the big event during the year like MM or 24/12 and most of all be friendly and noticable!

Posted 2 years ago #
njee20 - Member

I've only been riding a couple of years but ride most weeks with at least half a doz riders who get bikes and kit provided

Really? What literally "here's your bike, now go and win us races". I know some very very good riders who aren't getting that!

Posted 2 years ago #
MikeWW - Member

Yes and no. They go out and win races and spend time talking to potential sponsors along the way. They talk to them about how they can increase their brand profile what publicity they can generate etc etc There is in many instances a bit of a courtship involved. Through that most of get a fair bit of help. My son is already talking to teams with an eye on next year.He probably has maybe 10 discussions ongoing and there is no guarantee any of them will go anywhere....but you establish relationships and sometimes you get lucky/find the right fit. He also keeps in close contact with all the LBS.Point is, if you want sponsorship you have to work at it and IME you need to have talent

Posted 2 years ago #
njee20 - Member

Is this in XC racing?

IMO it's easier for the younger riders to get 'sponsorship' (just to be a pedant), because people are more likely to support 'young talent' and what not!

He's right to be having the conversations though, they're unlikely to come to him!

Posted 2 years ago #
MikeWW - Member

Yes XC racing-British and Regional
Although looking to do bigger road events as well(National are at Hogg Hill)
To be fair with one exception all the other riders are young i.e U23 and are involved in road mainly plus XC plus CX
Think if you have already peaked you aren't going to drum up much interest unless you are taking National titles

Posted 2 years ago #
njee20 - Member

Good for them then. Although I still maintain that there aren't that many people outside of the very top being given all their kit. There's a huge risk that once they leave junior (assuming they're significantly U23) they go from being big fish in small ponds to disappearing into the anonymity of mid-pack elite. U23 itself is a difficult category, as although there's a World Cup ranking, it's not recognised in the UK apart from at the Nat Champs at all. The top U23 came 6th in the BMBS Elite on Sunday, but doesn't actually get any more recognition than the guy who came 30th!

What there is, is a huge amount of discounted kit being offered by small brands, I've had so many brands pass through my team name it often takes up several lines on Timelaps!

Posted 2 years ago #
JamesP - Member

Nick - I heard that Timelaps where having to bring out a new version of their timing software just to cope with your list of sponsors

Its interesting about the young riders getting sponsored. I had a conversation last year with a well known lighting provider and they told me that they were focusing on sponsoring riders in Masters and Vets. The logic was that this is where the higher levels of residual income was - i.e. it was people between 30-50 who had £300-£500 to spend on lights.

Posted 2 years ago #
njee20 - Member

Good point! The shiniest bikes are usually masters/vets!

I've curtailed my sponsor list somewhat now! At the Gorrick enduro they printed it twice, that really was ridiculous. I remember Stu Bowers always had quite a list too!

Posted 2 years ago #
Taff - Member

My brother in law gets trade price bikes, kit, accessories and race entries. I only ever got race entries and energy food but I was never that good IMO.

Posted 2 years ago #
JamesP - Member

That's a shame. It always made me laugh when they read out...

"Nick Evans riding for Beyond Mountain Bikes/Specialized/West Drayton MBC/Rapid Racer Products/New Ultimate/Superstar Components" Did I miss any?

Posted 2 years ago #
tragically1969 - Member

Sorry i dont really understand your need for sponsorship, especially riding the sort of events you are doing.

Just join a local club\team that offers subsidised\free kit (if free kit turns you on that is), enter the races and enjoy the racing, if you are good enough you will get picked up sooner or later.

Posted 2 years ago #
njee20 - Member

I think that was it at it's longest! Always made me chuckle too, the commentators had to take a breath halfway though!

Posted 2 years ago #
njee20 - Member

Of course there's no 'need' for sponsorship.

With me when I've wanted something from a small brand, I've generally contacted them and said 'I want x product, do you want to do it cheap if I stick your name down when I race, slap some stickers on my bike, and big up your products.' Some have said no, some yes.

With New Ultimate I ended up as the UK distributor for a year, then they noticed that I was really only getting stuff for myself, and went with someone who actually had the channels to sell it! Shame really, as their stuff was great.

Posted 2 years ago #
40mpg - Member

Take your LBS owner out riding lots, get him drunk, negotiate discount / jersey etc.

A riding mate of mine owns a LBS (Perfect Balance Cycles in Totton) and gives us regular riders a discount. We do the Mountain Mayhem every hear (and put a reasonable show for old drunks - 2nd singespeed last year).

When I was young, I rode for a shop team. Got talking to the owner at events, put in some reasonable placings, got a ride. We were sponsored by the Kona importers so got to buy explosifs at import price, plus free kit, use of workshop, lifts to races all round the UK. In return I was expected to race almost every weekend all year round (including cross and road races), all the nationals and local events, sometimes twice a week, a few times 2 races in 1 day. Thats some commitment. I only ever got top 20 Expert in nationals, usually top 10 in locals, but a gebnerally strong team presence looks good and is great advertising for the shop - which is still going 20 years later (GA Cycles in Southampton).

Consider whats in it for the sponsor and tailor your proposal to suit their needs.

Posted 2 years ago #
Taff - Member

just don't get him drunk while riding!

40mpg - is that GA cycles any good? Just realsied it's only up the road from the mayflower theatre or is Hargroves the shop of choice in that area?

Posted 2 years ago #
cycleactive - Member

we've done a lot of coaching and skills development work with individual racers and some teams and this subject often comes up. I'm also good mates with Rob who manages the Torq team.
the key is to think about what they want and what value they can get from you. forget race results - that's just the start point of a sponsorship deal and is almost a given. if you are approaching your LBS then you need to find out how to get them publicity - in the end giving you money/kit has to equate to more sales.
for example, how often do you get yourself into the local paper? do you do anything with local youth clubs or school cycle clubs that gets you noticed? if you're pure racer and not community minded then you need to figure out how you can make yourself stand out.
also, think about yourself as a brand. are you respected, liked, ignored? sponsorship means they are attaching their reputation to yours - can you expect them to do that? do you turn up early, have a pristine bike, help out other people, make yourself visible at big events?
Over the past 13 years we've worked hard to build our brand and CycleActive is now the most highly sponsored non-racing team of mountain bikers in the UK (you'll see the list on our website). It's great to have such support, but everywhere we go we have to be mindful of it, think about what we wear, what we ride, who we're nice to (everybody, if at all possible!) etc etc. It's a lot of work - ask any pro rider and they'll tell you that keeping your sponsors is almost a full time job in itself.
Chris@CycleActive

Posted 2 years ago #