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Letters to Cyclingnews - July 15, 2008Here's your chance to get more involved with Cyclingnews. Comments and criticism on current stories, races, coverage and anything cycling related are welcomed, even pictures if you wish. Letters should be brief (less than 300 words), with the sender clearly identified. They may be edited for space and clarity; please stick to one topic per letter. We will normally include your name and place of residence, but not your email address unless you specify in the message. Please email your correspondence to letters@cyclingnews.com. Tour de France: Stage 3 - The Badger is back! Tour de France: Stage 3 - The Badger is back!Not to take anything away from the riders (specially a great effort by Will Frishkorn), but the highlight of a very exciting stage today was...Bernard Hinault shoving the protester off of the podium! Without hesitation, Hinault shoved that guy clear off the podium and looked like he was going to kill him as two police officers dragged the protester away. Awesome display of classic Hinault, and a little glimpse into why he won just about every race there was! Stephan H. Andranian Monday, July 7, 2003 Thor Hushovd's LookSorry fellow readers. I can't help myself from being such a Fred. I must comment on a couple of aesthetics regarding the mighty Thor's Look. Thanks to Ben Atkins for his fine detailed photography so that I could nitpick these items. Firstly, if his mechanics can't find a spacer with the proper wall-thickness, couldn't they at least have smoothed the edge a bit, and perhaps touched it up with magic marker or something? See this. As for this name tag, give me a break! What, did the Credit Agricole mechanics break out their Dyno Labelmaker?! C'mon! Couldn't they at least stop by the local auto body shop and get it hand-painted? Minor details that have absolutely nothing to do with the machine's performance. However, if the CA mechanics can't address these aesthetic issues, I hope they're taking care of the mechanics properly! And this shoe! This is just plain wrong! Alan Schiff Monday, July 7, 2003 Riccó uses outdated bike in ITTI wonder why Saunier Duval's main GC contender Riccó did not receive the new Scott Plasma for the ITT, while some of his domestiques did. The new version looks much more slippery. Gergely Szabo Sunday, July 13, 2003 Boycott le Tour and OlympicsIn reference to Roland Hermann's comments on the Olympics and "how athletes’ are not allowed to share their faith is they can only bring along their own bible (no more for distribution) and must keep it in their room". Good! Surely faith is an individual thing and people shouldn't have the right to push their beliefs on anybody else by handing out bibles! The Olympics is about sport, not religion, and as someone once said "Religion does three things quite effectively: divides people, controls people, deludes people". In a time when sport is under the microscope for deluding people, the last thing people need is their judgment being clouded any further! Tony Bleasdale Thursday, July 10, 2003 Boycott le Tour and OlympicsRoland, I can't help but reply to self-righteous banter. I'll keep the USA in my prayers as well. Slaying China for human rights abuses? Complaining over no more than one bible per athlete allowed? How short of the mark can you get as an American? Wasn't the USA built on slavery of native Africans and slaying of American Indians? Didn't your forefathers enforce religion on these people while you were at it? Sure, my country is not a saint either. But we, as most do, draw the line at sport being a vehicle for political statements because of that. One bible per person at the Olympics? Well, it is the Olympics, not a book convention. You should bear in mind the athletes are entering a country that is devoutly atheist (sic), be thankful they allow athletes to carry religious material at all! World Youth Day is here in Sydney soon, that's where to go if you wish to spread the word. The word in Beijing this summer is sport, and cycling is a sport, get used to it. I think ASO were right not to admit Astana this year, three strikes you're out I guess. But ASO dropped the ball on booting the other teams with dark integrity clouds over their heads from the last edition as well. Sport should never be a part of political statements in my opinion. You would be well served to educate yourself on your country's past before criticising others for their customs, history and culture, and respect them as a result. You will find yourself to be very similar to the Chinese in past and present issues you don't think you were, particularly in this case. Ryan Sorensen Friday, July 11, 2003 Astana and the TourFirstly, Sammy, the scandals surrounding Astana at last year's Tour de France extend beyond two riders (I assume you mean Alexandre Vinokourov and Andre Kashekin). Matthias Kessler was found for testosterone use after Fleche Wallone and Eddy Mazzoleni has since been suspended for his participation in the Oil for Drugs circus. Previous to last year, Astana weren't able to participate in the Tour due to a large proportion of the team's riders being named as Operacion Puerto suspects. Even further back in 2005, Roberto Heras 'won' the Tour of Spain, only to found guilty of EPO use. So you see, the problems at Astana have been about for a while. Rabobank, Cofidis and Columbia all caused a stir at the '07 Tour, however their offences are largely limited to last year’s Tour. In fact, in Rabobank's 12 year history, only one rider of that team has tested positive - Rory Sutherland. ASO also said that it had no problem with Alberto Contador as such, and that should he change teams he would be free to ride in the Tour. I also realise that the management at Astana has changed from last year to now. But that was the same line spun by the team in ‘07, and look what happened - the most popular rider in the world was sent home in disgrace. To belittle the ASO for not wanting a title sponsor associated with doping over many years is just wrong. Lachlan Morley Thursday, July 10, 2003 Astana and the TourTo Sammy Evens who watched the Tour for 10 years and Lance was her hero and then she had no hero only to then have Discovery fill the hero void with Contador. If Contador is your new ‘hero’ then perhaps cycling isn't the sport for you or maybe you just aren't watching, ‘cause clearly you're not getting it. Yeah, that whole Garmin team - what a bunch of idiots, especially that Danny Pate guy. George Hincapie in his 13th Tour - what is old man time thinking? Columbia and its domination - who does this American team think they are? Robbie McEwen and Cadel Evans going for green and yellow on a budget about a third of Discovery Channel - get some new bikes you losers! The inevitable total gear stomping put on by Jens Voigt and Fabian Cancellara - I could ride like too if someone paid me. Sammy claims she's not watching the Tour this year on principal. I say good to that, ‘cause this ignorance is all too common in Lance-era American-based fans. Good riddance I say. P Mac Thursday, July 10, 2003 Romain FeilluI assume this was written with tongue firmly in cheek or was written awaiting a bite? Romain stayed clear of the peloton for 206 km with the other guys in the break and made it stick. The guy must have been completely spent and it reaffirms my belief in a clean peloton when he has no chance of defending the yellow jersey the next day. Romain deserved his day in yellow so please Cyclingnews stop allowing such complete rubbish to be posted on what I consider a knowledgeable website. Dave Morris Thursday, July 10, 2003 Romain FeilluIt is a shame that Alan Schiff (Snowbird, Utah, USA Tuesday, July 8, 2008) felt that Romain Feillu’s time trial was flat out embarrassing. Obviously he didn’t watch the footage, that kid absolutely busted a gut, he gave everything and finished 169th behind probably 168 guys that didn’t spend 208 km out in front in a breakaway the day before. This is why The Badger shook his hand! I say great job for a 24 year-old in only his second Tour, a feat we all could only hope to achieve. Another armchair expert aye? It is tough for some to understand if it’s not Lance. Jeff Thompson Thursday, July 10, 2003 Cascade Cycling Classic accidentIt sounds like there wasn't anything covering the guards in this race. If that's the case, I'm absolutely appalled. We have a triathlon where I'm at (Miyako Island, Okinawa, Japan) called the Strongman Triathlon that has numerous grates covering drains that aren't nearly as big as the ones used for cattle crossing and those are all covered in rubber and taped down for the race. I can't believe they let them race over cattle guards that aren't covered. I'd be afraid of riding over one myself. Surely they can cover half a dozen cattle guards. I hope Ben Brooks has a speedy recovery. Jeff Cummings Thursday, July 10, 2003 LeMond: Cycling doesn't need UCIBravo Greg! Greg is absolutely right the UCI has no part to play in the future of cycling. They have had 15 years to sort out the doping problem within cycling but instead at best have ignored the issue completely and at worst been complicit in hiding the scale of the problem from the public. Whilst ignoring the major problems they have introduced ridiculous rules around equipment and continually talk about the so called mobilisation of the sport, but to no effect. Greg is so right, cycling isn't the UCI, it the great races and the riders that make this sport, not the officials who have governed it so poorly this last two decades. With the UCI gone and a zero tolerance approach to doping who knows, we one day may actually see clean riders competing and winning the tour, and see a spectacle we can all truly believe in. What will make cycling the truly global sport that it deserves to be is the great riders riding clean in the greatest races once more. What is so wrong with that? Ricky Hall Thursday, July 10, 2003 LeMond: Cycling doesn't need UCIDear Editors, I agree with Greg LeMond that cycling can do without UCI. This has become an organisation about power and money with personal fiefdoms for its executives. It places itself first and the real interests of cyclists further down the list. Contrary to some of the opinions often met with here, cyclists need organisations which put cyclists' interests and the interests of cycling first. ASO actually does this far more effectively than UCI. Much of the brouhaha at the Tour de France last year was due to neglect by the UCI. Excluding Astana, more than other teams, was the right thing to do in view of its shady past affairs with Liberty Seguros & the doping scandals of past US Postal cyclists who rode with Lance Armstrong. It is false to compare other teams non-exclusion from France with this team's - they are scarcely comparable. Further, ASO's interests in the Vuelta will bring it greater prestige as a calendar event and this will benefit cyclists in the long term. Also, being firm with Astana demonstrates to other teams what will happen if they fall foul of the current doping regime. Neither, UCI, Johan Bruyneel, Astana or any other individual or organisation is greater than the sport itself. It is time for UCI to wake up and stop playing the great dictator. It is time to put the emphasis on the cyclists and the events themselves, to promote a clean sport and to invest in the grand tours and classics with promotions of some less well known meets, so that cyclists desire to compete in them all. Hugh MacCamley Thursday, July 10, 2003 LeMond: Cycling doesn't need UCICyclingnews friends, It’s great to see Greg LeMond back at the Tour. He’s been speaking painful truths for some time, and now we’re beginning to find out that he’s largely right. Greg’s not always been the most diplomatic speaker, but calling him a whiner or bitter is completely inaccurate. This is a man who lived through being shot – and much, much worse as a child, as we learned last year – and later saw his career evaporate as EPO entered the peloton, never to complain or blame others. Today he’s active with various charities, spending time away from his family to support causes that he cares about. Welcome back, Greg! Michael Fee Thursday, July 10, 2003 LeMond: Cycling doesn't need UCIDear Mark, Who are you to disrespect one of the largest cycling icons in American history? Greg LeMond is somebody. Mark, have you ever won the Tour De France? Then I think you’re the one that needs to be quiet. I support Greg for speaking out because the sport we love is being tarnished with drugs. Greg LeMond will always be a hero and you don't know what you’re talking about. Jimmy Ling Friday, July 11, 2003 LeMond: Cycling doesn't need UCIGreg LeMond, self serving? Read the entire story before you make such an inane assertion. Greg, unlike other former champions, is willing to go on record and call out the pretenders. He only said publicly what most of us who follow cycling have understood for a very long time. The UCI serves no purpose but to rubber stamp cycling events and legitimize a sport that lost its direction years ago. The UCI does little or nothing to protect the interest of event organizers, riders or teams. It is an impotent organization that issues hollow threats and ultimately backs down. LeMond is right. We don't need the UCI. We need to see something more liken to what is in place in US Professional Football. You have owners and player's unions and together they chart the course and establish policy. Each entity has to have a say in the future or there won't be a future. That means riders, owners, organizers etc. need to come together. Representative from all factions of the sport need to be included and I can think of no one better the Greg LeMond - who isn't afraid to take a stand - to be part of a new and better governing body. Lets stop the mud slinging! Miloman Friday, July 11, 2003 Tour de France accidentI’ve read everything (and watched everything) I could get hold of but I can’t find anything about either the rider involved in this particular accident or the woman he hit in yesterday’s stage. She looked in pretty bad shape, in the few seconds we saw her on TV. Do you know what happened to either or both? Marc Abelanet Thursday, July 10, 2003 We Might As Well Win ReviewJust wanted to say having read We Might As Well Win I agree whole heartedly with the review. My biggest disappointment was that the “controversies” of the Armstrong years along with the Basso signing was not discussed in detail. Being a fan of Lance Armstrong, I believe when he says he raced clean and that his detractors have other agendas or grudges. I think a chapter on these two items would have been sufficient, and the little bit of attention given to them only wetted our appetites. I did enjoy the rebuttal to comments made by Floyd Landis in his book, regarding how riders were asked to conserve energy or how they didn’t all get the same gear. I was reluctant at first to buy the book due to the high price and relatively low page count, but once I did the amount of detail more than made up for any perceived disparity. This is definitely a must for any Armstrong fan and hopefully we’ll get more books from Johan in the future with much more detail. Chris Wright Thursday, July 10, 2003 Evans’ shoe coversCadel does wear shoe covers, they are made to resemble his regular shoes, printed with the patterns of his normal shoes. Aidan mouellic Thursday, July 10, 2003 Pure climbersFear not, Scott! Carlos Sastre still rides, as does Mauricio Soler (though not in the Tour), Leonardo Piepoli, and Maxime Monfort! Maybe Trent Lowe will turn into one in a few years! Amos Meyers Thursday, July 10, 2003 Pure climbersWell Scott, you do still have Emanuele Sella, winner of this year's Giro d'Italia mountains competition to cheer for. I watched the Giro from start to finish this year and it was absolutely unbelievable to watch the little 120 pound guy roar up all of the major mountains, win himself three stages, and absolutely dominate the mountains competition. Not only was he the only rider in the entire Giro to even wear the Mountains jersey, but also amassing himself a whopping 136 points, a full 73 points clear of his closest competitor Vasil Kiryienka. Now that is a pure climber. Not to mention that he also finished second in the "Sprinters" points competition thanks to his three stage wins and sixth overall. Jimy Thursday, July 10, 2003 Why on earth Danielson?Cyclingnews, Why on Earth are we still talking about Tom Danielson? He might be a nice guy and all and suggests some great coffee blends, but when it comes to obtaining results in races he just hasn't had them lately, like over the last three years. Sure, he's proven himself to be a team player and support rider, but why is it that riders like Christian Vande Velde and Chris Horner worked hard, generated excellent and consistent results with Continental teams but then languished in anonymity for so long? In the meantime, Danielson doesn't seem to be able to get enough media exposure where he does nothing but cook up excuses as to why he's not performing to expectations. He's missing The Tour because he doesn't deserve to be in The Tour. Jonathan Vaughters seems to be the only one with no illusions when it comes to Danielson and has already acknowledged that Danielson isn't the next Greg LeMond or Lance Armstrong. Perhaps the best thing for Tom Danielson would be for the media to leave him alone so he doesn't continue to dwell on all his problems, anxiety, and the expectations other people put on him. Dillan Ballard Thursday, July 10, 2003 Historical informationHi I am searching for the profile of stage 13 in TdF 1997. I have searched the internet for days now without success. Any chance Cyclingnews or it's readers can help me? Dag Arne Friday, July 11, 2003 Stefan Schumacher loses yellowPoor, poor Stefan Schumacher. Boo hoo! Get over it! He shouldn't have been in the Tour de France anyway if the ASO weren't such hypocrites. Let's not forget that thing called "Karma". Schumacher was handed the overall victory even though he took down the race leader, George Hincapie, in the sprint of the final stage at the 2006 Eneco Tour. You'll get no sympathy here, Schumie. Now get back in the gruppetto and quit your bitchin'! Kevin Friday, July 11, 2003 Stefan Schumacher loses yellowDear cyclingnews.com, Many readers here seem to want to attack ASO for different standards but when it comes to Stefan Schumacher and Tom Boonen, we see different cases, so different outcomes. Schumacher was caught well in the past now and has since apologised. More importantly for ASO, he has been monitored by his team and now there is an acceptance that he made a one-off mistake at a party. With Boonen allegations have been made that he not only uses cocaine, but that he has been acting as a dealer. Given the news came out just before the Tour de France, there's little chance he could be said to be over any habit. For his own sake it is probably better that "Tommeke" gets over his problems and stays out of the media spotlight. Too often this letters page is filled with personal attacks against a range of personalities within our sport and I think it says more of some readers' rapid-fire rantings and their prejudices than it does of their victims! Mark Burton Thursday, July 10, 2003 Stefan Schumacher loses yellowAll I can say is what goes around comes around eh Stephan? Remember Eneco Tour last in 2006? It's total karma, or whatever you want to call it, coming back on you. George Hincapie, Kim Kirchen, Colombia, deserve the win. So no whining! Mike S. Sunday, July 13, 2003 Stefan Schumacher loses yellowHow fitting that Schumacher got flicked out of the yellow jersey, and by George
Hincapie's team-mate no less. Friday, July 11, 2003 Stefan Schumacher loses yellowPlease. Stefan is griping about losing yellow because Kim Kirchen made him crash? Does anybody remember what happened in Plouay? MJW Friday, July 11, 2003 Sylvain ChavanelGreetings, I read your web page every day and enjoy it immensely. The last several days I have been reading the diary entries of Sylvain Chavanel and have found him to be a most engaging person. His perspective is very refreshing and enlightening to me and I've been following bicycle racing for 40 years! I never really paid much attention to him during the Tour in the past but this year I'm cheering for him every time he's in a breakaway. I just hope he is in a break that will survive and that he gets the win. James Harding Friday, July 11, 2003 Yet another...Manual BeltranWell, kids, I don't know about you, but I have about had it with the professional cycling thing. I have felt pretty unenthusiastic about Tour de France 2008, given last year's debacle, but thought that if it were to run clean, then I might be inclined to care about TDF 2009. We're all waiting for the next positive test, and if that's what being a fan of this sport is about, I want none of it. I wonder about my fellow fans' thresholds and moral resistance levels. What say you, cycling fans, had enough of it? Or, let's put it this way: personally speaking, I would rather spend my time on a $500 fixed gear then dressed up with the bike and any kit that reflects the sport I have come to distrust. Such behavior does not bode well for the Cervelos, SRAMs, or even Cyclingnews.coms of this world. In other words, who agrees with me that this sport is slipping away, and who might be willing to let it slip. Patrick Hartigan Friday, July 11, 2003 Yet another...Manual BeltranDear Editor, The evidence mounts concerning routine abuse of EPO by the former US Postal and Discovery Channel team as one after another of their team members is caught. ASO were absolutely right to ban Astana this year because they have substantial links with Liberty Seguros, US Postal and Discovery Channel. The longer this story continues the more one can perceive the deceptions that have been going on behind the scenes. The finger points strongly in one direction. The whole truth has time on its side. Hugh MacCamley Saturday, July 12, 2003 Yet another...Manual BeltranSurly a "professional" with all his years of experience such as Manual Beltran would realize that they conduct doping tests when you compete in a bike race like the Tour de France? You would think by now these racers would get the idea that maybe, just maybe you will get tested and caught! Chris Branch Saturday, July 12, 2003 Yet another...Manual BeltranManual Beltran, Floyd Landis, Tyler hamilton, Roberto Heras is there a common link? Greg Sunday, July 13, 2003 Yet another...Manual BeltranSo now Beltran has tested positive for EPO. If memory serves that means that now four members of Lance's old team (Postal/Discover Channel) have tested positive since leaving the team. Roberto Heras (EPO), Tyler Hamilton (blood doping) and Floyd Landis (testosterone). If as the saying goes, once is happenstance, twice is coincidence and thrice is war, what is the fourth? Does anyone really believe that they only started doping after leaving Lance's team? If they do they must be unbelievably nïave. Gareth Speechley Sunday, July 13, 2003 Stage 10 coverage was a treat!I simply must comment on the excellent live coverage of Stage 10! Short of watching this on live TV (sadly, there is not extended coverage in the states any more after the Lance years), Cyclingnews’ live coverage is the best! It was quite a treat to be privilege to the comments of such a class rider like Bobby Julich. If you make any changes to the live coverage, I'd love to see more pro riders lend their insight. In fact, I'd love to see even more live comments. It’s the highlight of my day reading the live coverage, and its hard to wait through a rest day for more. Keep up the great work CN! Monday, July 14, 2003 Recent letters pagesLetters 2008
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