DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO QUIT YOUR JOB & TURNA PRO?

Who hasn't dreamt of going pro and getting paid to ride bikes. But what does it really take to make that leap? Full-time rider Joe Laverick lays bare the reality behind the fantasy

- Joe Laverick

Do I have what it takes to become a professional cyclist?” It’s a question that most of us have pondered at some point, at least as a daydream or fleeting fantasy. From having the raw power, to the skill of riding in a bunch at high speeds, to committing to spending a large chunk of practically every day on your bike come rain or shine: there are plenty of factors to consider. But just how far-fetched is this dream? What is the difference between an ordinary cyclist and someone with the potential to take their cycling all the way? In other words, should you quit your job to become a full-time rider?

“What have I got to lose?” I asked myself when it came to choosing between chasing the pro dream or going to university. With a string of good results in the junior ranks, I knew I’d live to regret it if I didn’t go all-in on cycling. There is a ticking clock on my racing career, whereas I have the rest of my life to get a degree. Still, I knew it was a gamble.

For the sake of this article, we’re going to class Continentallevel riders as pros. Granted, many Conti riders also work part-time jobs to make ends meet, unable to support themselves solely from the proceeds of racing their bikes. It’s not until you make the ProTeam (formerly ProConti) ranks that a minimum salary comes into play: €27,500 for women and €32,100 for men. I’ve ridden for Continental teams for three years now, and my accumulated earnings don’t amount to a single year’s pay at the above rate. Nobody goes into pro cycling for the money.