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...because you might find that your location gets a tad dusty.
Honestly, I was relieved to hear his eventual diagnosis. Was worried about something much more sinister.
Yeah that was emotional. One of the good guys and if he wants it, he's got a great media career ahead of him. The unofficial WC stuff he did was leagues ahead of the official stuff and he definitely felt more restricted when he came under the official banner. He's a super nice guy, crazy fast on a bike and deserves something good
Watched it earlier and was a little worried for a while before he told us what was wrong. Very brave and courageous to do it and the reaction judging by the comments on YouTube, Pinkbike and his social channels has been overwhelming positive.
Hopefully he can recarve a future on the presenting side akin to his previous work that got him the job at Pinkbike, he definitely has the talent and fanbase to do so.
Paste the YouTube video Share link in the box without using the Link tab button above. That's it.
Just watched it. Feel so bad for Ben. He seems to be so plagued by bad luck counting him out. Fantastic presenter. Always enjoy his analysis.
What I was unclear about was has the team been disbanded?
Are other riders on the team are now without a sponsored ride?
What I was unclear about was has the team been disbanded?
Are other riders on the team are now without a sponsored ride?
Yes, sounds like it unfortunately - see Ben's first comment in the Comments section.
My sister got the same diagnosis in her mid-40s a couple of years ago. Many aspects of his reaction are familiar. Hopefully, some treatment will make the day-to-day easier.
I was worried that he'd been diagnosed with CTE or something, given the number of hits he's taken, hence my relief.
It's true that he's a super-nice guy. Chatted to him once whilst we were cleaning bikes after a race (he came second; I, naturally, was naewhere). What you see on-screen is exactly what you get in real life: an absolute chap.
frogstomp
Full Member
What I was unclear about was has the team been disbanded?Are other riders on the team are now without a sponsored ride?
Yes, sounds like it unfortunately – see Ben’s first comment in the Comments section
This is the end of the pinkbike racing series and of my racing career in its current form. I don’t actually know what the future holds for me racing wise as I work through solving my problems.
I’m hoping I come out the other side of my treatment with the ability to plan, organise and commit on my plans to a satisfactory level while putting minimal stress on the lives of everyone around me.
Thank you for supporting me through the past few years and I look forward to making loads more videos here on Pinkbike in the future. 3
That's not a clear disbanding of the team to me, so fingers crossed
Wow, interesting and very relatable!
My wife has been insisting for years that I have a similar condition, and hearing Ben talk about it was instantly recognisable and I could sympathise with his almost tearful feelings of frustration.
Knowing you could be a faster stronger rider, knowing what you need to do to become so, wanting to do it and yet somehow just never managing. I didn't realise that was a diagnosable condition though, I thought that was just 40 year old family life 🙄
Very honest and moving.
Feels like he'd been coping before but just took on too much last year trying to manage a team, race and create his videos for PB - all on the same weekends. Bringing things to a head.
I'm sure he'll continue to have a career in the sport and that he'll have multiple offers on the media side of things.
Yes it's a shame the team appears to be folding, but it was always a development team and they've arguably developed those riders as far as they were able to.
That’s not a clear disbanding of the team to me, so fingers crossed
Same here, but in the current climate of increasing costs (across the board) and brand budget cut-backs I can't see it happening. I will be very pleased to be proved very wrong though!
Knowing you could be a faster stronger rider, knowing what you need to do to become so, wanting to do it and yet somehow just never managing
I know this sounds harsh but anyone who’s done sport to a high level always ends their career thinking if only this, if only that.
I just watched the vid that he was learning about himself and his own mental health, which was separate to the fact his riding career had come to an end
I just watched the vid that he was learning about himself and his own mental health, which was separate to the fact his riding career had come to an end
I get what you mean, but I think the two are really difficult to separate. Seemed clear that he was realising the degree to which the neurodiversity issue had affected his racing career.
I know this sounds harsh but anyone who’s done sport to a high level always ends their career thinking if only this, if only that.
A similar thought was lurking in the back of my mind, I'd be wary of hanging too much on these sort of diagnoses because you could almost suggest that it's the people at the absolute top of the sport who are less 'normal' in that they can maintain the absolute focus and dedication required.
I'd almost suggest Ben is an inspiration enough for what he HAS achieved despite apparently suffering from some of the same foibles as us no-hopers (speaking for myself only there, not STW in general 😉 ).
What I was unclear about was has the team been disbanded?
I seem to remember from a couple of years ago that it was just going to be a short term thing. Plus I think the entry fees for teams is increasing to the point where its probably difficult for PB to justify it, plus wages plus travel costs. It must be well into 6 figure sums these days for a year's racing.
you could almost suggest that it’s the people at the absolute top of the sport who are less ‘normal’ in that they can maintain the absolute focus and dedication required
Quite.
There are many insanely talented riders, who the stars don't quite align for - for whatever reason.
Cathro has arguably grafted harder than most (apart from Wyn) in establishing himself as a media personality and "line guy".
Personally I'd like to see PB sending him to the races to produce 2 or 3 times as much coverage each round. Or maybe there's an opening in the commentary booth with Gwin hanging up his mic for 2024?
I'm not, never have been, and never will be part of any kind of competative sport, but can relate to quite a few of the things that Ben talks about. The procrastination and active avoidance of things you actually want to be doing is definitely something I can relate to. I've done online tests before and always come out on the line so, never quite sure if I have any sort condition so to speak but being, what I've always just assumed was, a "lazy bastard" has definitely held me back througout my life.
The mission now is to try and get my kids not to accept the same I suppose.
Hopefully Ben stays in the sport and keeps doing his vids, as theyr'e great. He can also inspire people loads.
*does anyone else have to read through their post about 4 times to correct everything befoe hitting post?
Or maybe there’s an opening in the commentary booth with Gwin hanging up his mic for 2024
Gwin and Cathro in the booth would be the dream.
His instructional videos are excellent. Him and Warner commentating 2024 WCs would be a good thing.
It must be well into 6 figure sums these days for a year’s racing.
I would happily see them divert the fiver they spent on the Pinkbike Academy series into the race team instead.
relapsed_mandalorian
Full Member
I’d love him to have time to go back to coaching too.
I've had more noticeable improvement in my riding from watching his videos than any coaching session elsewhere. Can imagine he'd be very good in real life
Those who've benefitted from Ben's coaching videos, have you watched them over and over, pausing and trying different things?
I watched them all, but felt they were almost too comprehensive - like he was trying to cram a bit too much in. Some of them left my head spinning.
When you say you watched them all, do you mean watching several at a time and try to take it all in? I just picked the ones of interest and focused on the key points. No way I could absorb the full series and try and make all the required changes.
@ocrider - I'm with you there as well. Soo much time wasted typing out posts and then not posting them...
As with all coaching resources, I need to keep going back to them and picking things up.
When you say you watched them all, do you mean watching several at a time and try to take it all in? I just picked the ones of interest and focused on the key points.
Watched them week-by-week as they dropped.
There was so much in each one, I couldn't remember what to practice when I was out riding 😀
Those who’ve benefitted from Ben’s coaching videos, have you watched them over and over, pausing and trying different things?
Oh I didn't improve, I just have a far better understanding of what I'm doing wrong.
Oh I didn’t improve, I just have a far better understanding of what I’m doing wrong.
Actual LOL.
I know exactly what you mean.
So, what is wrong with him then?
So, what is wrong with him then?
Too tall, apparently.
That was well worth a watch.
I'd like the see him keep on racing, and I'd like him to keep making DH racing focussed videos. But maybe part of what Ben needs is to narrow his scope a bit to allow him more time/space to focus? - not my area of expertise at all.
I also like the idea of PBR continuing as a bit of a development team, specifically taking young riders who've performed at a national level and show promise and putting them through a year or two of WC racing with the goal of being picked up by a factory outfit.
For those interested by the ADHD aspect, have a read of this. No paywall, thanks to Endura:
https://singletrackmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/singletrack-issue-151-finding-the-flow/
So, what is wrong with him then?
From the shots of him being rolled onto a stretcher I’d guess at a vitamin D deficiency but I’m not a real Dr and that could just be how Scots look 😀