Pro Cyclist AND Runner

Nope, no way it would be possible. Tiny percent differences between top riders are what separates good Cat 1s from Pros to begin with. To not have the further specification and totally committed training would make it impossible for a cyclist also trying to be a runner to be a professional cyclist.

The amount of specialization is huge. Even pro cyclocross riders transitioning to a legitimate road schedule often have several seasons of playing catch-up before being legitimate contributors to their road teams.

Same thing for running.

Overall, I'm sure some talented individuals could do super well in both - you mention Brownlee, he is one. But as it stands, he is never going to get paid for his running abilities or his cycling abilities in isolation.

It's nowhere near the professional level, but my on/off again training mate is a Cat1 guy that still rips 15:40s on the roads.

No chance for men; maybe possible for women depending on how you define "pro."

When 15:40 becomes a 'rip' I will send up a flare.

Not a chance. I know a pro triathlete who was considered a biking god in their community. He gave pro cycling a crack in 2016. Soloed almost every race until he got into the cat 2s. After that he cracked. You can't understand the mental/hand eye coordination needed to survive in America. It's even harder in Europe because roads are half the size and "furniture" everywhere. No joke you'll be going 35mph and you'll hear a vague whistle getting louder as the guy ahead of you swerves to the right or left. Brownlee could survive in a TT and potentially do decent. But he would get eaten alive in a euro peloton. Special breed of human.

To be specific in either sport takes every single ounce of energy and attention. There's just absolutely no way to balance the both of them. Running is so incredibly demanding that in order to be in 13x shape, one would need to be totally focused on that discipline.

No. Each sport demands a great deal of specificity that causes you to suck at the other. Look at a pro cyclist's quads and butt and tell me if that muscle development would lead to fast running? Conversely, look at your prototypical thin distance runner build and ask if he can get a bike up to 40+ MPH on a flat sprint or repeatedly attack on steep grades with those legs?

I agree with this. Even if you had the talent to pursue either one, your body type would change with the training. Maybe if you were a 200m runner and sprint specialist in cycling......could be muscular and bulky and still succeed in both.

Bobby Mack former WC XC team and of NC State has Cat1/Pro cycling ability

There are several pro levels. Riders on Continental

Teams do not make much of a livable wage. They are paid and employed like subcontractors. They are very good riders, the most successful cat1. Pro Continental riders and even World Tour riders are at another level of engine. At that level 1 or 2% is what separates these guys from donkeys to race horses.

Guys who are world class runners or cyclist stick to one. It is a entire lifestyle. It takes so much time and effort your family will miss you. Can not speak to Bobby Mack specifically but it takes years to develop the skills to become a pro cyclist. Every cat 1 is fast but not everyone gets tactic s or can handle their bike at 35mph in the bunch.

If people lime watchi g the Tour the spring calander is made up of 1 day Classics. Lots of mud and cobbles, very hard and exciting racinh.worth a watch for sure

Tommie

Going to have to disagree with you. The continental/pro continental scene is so competitive at the current moment, that in terms of world tour-The top 30 or so in America are close to that level. We aren't talking the "physiological" freaks of Froome, or Aru, the stuff you watch that doesn't seem necessarily real. But they are at the top in terms of physical capability. As another poster commented a lot depends on your own set up too.

As to the salary wage, this can also be very true. But there are a few teams in the US that pay a living wage, and is considered the dream setup to most riders. European racing can be very hard in terms of family life. Most riders love living and racing in the US, even the Euros.

I think it depends on what you define as worlds standard times. Don't think anyone can run sub 27 and be a pro cyclist, but 27:30 could be possible.

Ali B did 28:30 and could likely improve a bit is he started training for the track. He has also competed I TT against some of the best in England where he has podiumed. If he didn't swim he would prob be a kg or 2 lighter which would help. Also the ITU style of racing would be best to imitate the tour although he would of course need a lot of training in how to ride in a peloton.

Other triathletes who are uberbikers most often wouldn't stand a chance in running. I.e Bjorn A who is a pro level cyclist but far from a pro runner.

i chose D2 wrote:

No chance for men; maybe possible for women depending on how you define "pro."

Correct, for the most part. You can be a pro cyclist and runner if you're marketable enough, but if you're talking about being world class at both I very much doubt it's possible.

It may be possible to be a professional runner and be ranked internationally in mountain biking or cx, but you have to put so many race days in on the road if you want to be any good that your legs would just get destroyed when running.

Could it, in theory, happen? Probably, but not without compromises. E.g. Ali B could probably be an Olympic-level runner (i.e. qualify for the Olympics, not contend for a podium) with some sacrifices to his tri training--but in doing so, he'd give up some of his triathlon abilities. He might still be "pro," but would no longer be OG.

FWIW, Mike Woods (3:57 mile as a junior) is now riding for Cannondale-Drapac. He made a very rapid and belated ascent through the cycling ranks (i.e. a few years after taking up cycling in his mid-20s), but would no longer be a 3:57 miler. A guy built like Woods who had run a 3:50 mile (or, say, a 27:00 10K) might be able to reach pro cycling level while still being a 27:45 (i.e. Olympic-class) runner, but would be giving up top-end potential in both sports--which makes no practical sense, since borderline pros in both sports barely survive, whereas the very top guys get rich.

I know of a guy who was an Olympic gold medal ice skater and a pro cyclist, but not at the same time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Heiden

Kadeena Cox won gold in cycling and running at the rio paralympics. Then again the standards in paralympics are much lower so the double would be a lot easier. Not sure it would be possible with an able bodied athlete.

Clara Hughes is also a gold medal speed skater, and medallist in cycling too.

Is this good enough? wrote:

I know of a guy who was an Olympic gold medal ice skater and a pro cyclist, but not at the same time.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Heiden

NO!

For one thing scheduling racing would be a nightmare.

Emma Pooley is close. Pro cyclist, Olympic time trial silver medallist, Long course Duathlon World champion and won a good few trail races.

Zersenay Tadese was a great cyclist...