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Letters to Cyclingnews - February 2, 2007
Here'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.
The sanctimonious need to be taken out back
Confidentiality of test results
Oscar Pereiro cleared
Cyclo-cross reader poll results
Fairness in Operation Puerto?
Riders' nicknames
Doping reconciliation
Help for Floyd Landis
Museeuw's insults
Sven Nys
The Floyd Fairness Fund
The sorry state of pro-cycling
The sanctimonious need to be taken out back
Many media outlets, including yours, have asked over the past several months whether the current furor over allegations of drug use are enough to turn fans off from cycling. I have always answered to the negative. But, recent commentary from sanctimonious sporting directors and race directors alike just about has.
It is bad enough that cycling has become a complete circus, where WADA, the UCI, and the Grand Tour directors are in multiple combinations of stand-offs. But now we have to deal with Pro Tour sporting directors and individual race organizers that decide to take renegade justice into their own hands and expunge teams and riders without substantive proof. Holczer, Madiot, Worre (Tour of Denmark organizer), Rapp (Tour of Germany organizer) and their brethren somehow believe that by targeting "suspicious" teams and riders they are instilling integrity back into cycling, but instead they are devolving it to a new level of chaos and calamity that besmirches the sport. Riis takes it a step further, where he appears to want to show himself to be the victim in the Basso ordeal, when he himself merely played the fool.
By comparison, there was an organization in the 1970s in the US that had drug problems, violence problems, an image problem, and failing finances for owners and team members alike. A new organization was birthed to make changes -- eliminate those problems -- and expand its franchise beyond the US. That was the National Basketball Association. Today, you no longer see the rampant drug problems, fighting, and other highly problematic images that tarred the sport, and the NBA is one of the most highly valued organizations in the world. What I wouldn't give for David Stern to takeover cycling.
The inmates are running the asylum that is our sport. And it has to end.
Chris Cummings
Palo Alto, California, USA
Monday, January 29, 2007
Confidentiality of test results
When Le Monde slammed Oscar Pereiro a couple of weeks ago for "testing positive" after stages 14 and 16 of the 2006 Tour de France, it was strange that nobody wondered how the so-called journalists were privy to the details of the dates and the substance for which the rider was tested.
Apparently, either the LNDD (Laboratoire national de dépistage du dopage) or the AFLD (Agence française de lutte contre le dopage, the French agency that controls the LNDD), simply gave the information to the press. Of course, had the AFLD and the LNDD behaved ethically, Pereiro's test results would have been communicated in confidence to the rider and his team, perhaps in support of a request to supply whatever paperwork was missing in regard to his "therapeutic use exemption". No doubt that would have taken care of the matter.
It is a sad commentary on pro cycling that everyone takes for granted the spectacle of confidential lab data being disclosed to the media in order to tarnish a rider's reputation.
Richard Wilton
Los Angeles, CA, USA
Friday, January 26, 2007
Oscar Pereiro cleared
So the French Anti Doping Authority (AFLD) have cleared Oscar Pereiro of doping, because he has documentation. Great news, glad to see it worked. But what we really should question about their statement is: "was among 11 riders cleared. Their names were not released."
Doesn't anyone question how it is that Oscar's name was made public but the other 10 were not? Because his name is the only one that had any weight to it. This whole thing (doping) is just a way to sell newspapers, and if we think it is going away we (cycling fans) are dreaming.
As long as the public continue to buy, and I do mean buy, into this, the newspapers will continue to speculate. They have to make a profit, and advertisers will spend more to be in the newspapers that sell most.
So for simplicity sake, can we ask that all newspapers have a News section and a Speculation section, that way I will spend my time reading about what actually happened, and avoid the rest. Gossip doesn't do anybody any good at any time.
Michel van M
Buford GA, USA
Friday, January 26, 2007
Cyclo-cross reader poll results
Well, after today's fantastic second place finish by Katie Compton in the World's I'm ready and willing, happy even, to eat my words, and a big helping of crow. Hanka K. did have bad luck, but that's cross.
Congratulations to Jonathan Page for his silver as well!
William Rotsel
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Fairness in Operation Puerto?
Why are Ivan, Paco, Jan et al. persecuted like criminals, for over six months, without evidence? Lance side-stepped allegations and still rode the 2005 Tour. The difference was that Patron Lance was the commodity and story that brought the TdF/cycling into the multimillion dollar North American arena. Enough money can calm any swell of turbulent waters.
I believe in consistency: they should all be 'hooked', or held up to the same mirror of denial.
What about the links of Drs. Cecchini and Ferrari (Lance, Levi, Ullrich, Basso, Hamilton, Cancellara, T. Dekker, Cunego, Petacchi, Casagrande, Bartoli, Cipollini, Tafi, P. Richard, R. Soerensen, G. Bugno and B. Riis)?
What about Vino missing a drug-check at the Tour of Spain? Has everyone forgotten about Contador/Valverde's connections to Kelme, Fuentes and Saiz? What about P. Lefevere's recent admission of cheating/doping and his continued acceptance and involvement with the UCI and Quick step?
Where does one stop? The dirty relationships between the current top 50 riders and peripheral players are staggering and embarrassing. In the next few years resentful books will be written by Ivan, Jan, Tyler et al. and then we'll hear the 'truth that is out there'. If and when Landis tells his story, that story will sell like no other.
Drew Schemmer
Burlington, Canada
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Riders' nicknames
In reply to Bill Sandoe's letter. I have it on good authority that "Fuzzy" is, in fact, body hair-happy megacelebrity Robin Williams. No, he is not a competitor, but the Tour de France's stature is such that even attending a time trial up Alpe d'Huez is an exhausting ordeal, and certain people choose to unfairly prepare themselves with such products as beer and adrenaline. How dare they!
Jeffrey Jones
Milpitas, California, USA
Friday, January 26, 2007
Doping reconciliation
I think it's time for a more radical strategy in the fight against doping. How about something akin to South Africa's "Truth and Reconciliation Commission", which had the power to grant amnesty for political crimes, fully and truthfully confessed, committed during that country's period of apartheid.
I propose that cycling do like wise. Why not have a period of time, six months or a year, in which anyone currently associated with cycling; riders, coaches, directors, whoever, can come forward and confess their past and current doping crimes and infractions, and in return for their promise to ride fairly from now on, they will be completely forgiven and allowed to continue their careers?
The sport would have much to learn from their stories I'm sure, and could use this knowledge to the advantage of the fight against doping. But right now, there are clearly many still involved in the sport, who have skeletons in their closets and are afraid to come forward and admit past mistakes because there is too much at stake for them selves. Museeuw's case is surely an example.
Maybe this is not the perfect solution to doping and I'm sure others may point out problems with this. But again, the current system to clean up doping is clearly broken. It's time for some new thought on the subject.
Ken Finch
Portland, Oregon, USA
Friday, January 26, 2007
Help for Floyd Landis
RE: Floyd Landis' statement that his high testosterone level was due to alcohol consumption the night before his great ride.
See this source article excerpt from BBC Sports November 14, 2006:
"The Irish Sports Council (ISC) has accepted the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Panel's decision to clear Belfast's Gareth Turnbull of a doping offence.
"The ruling found the athlete's elevated testosterone level from a test 14 months ago 'as a matter of probability' had been 'induced by alcohol'."
I hope this helps Floyd Landis and cycling.
John Ackerman
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Museeuw's insults
All one can honestly reply to you letter is simply 'grow up'. Are you someone that has never made mistakes? How about we remember Museeuw for the great champion he was and not the disappointment you obviously find him to be. For there will only be one 'Lion of Flanders' and that is Museeuw.
Dion Neems
New Zealand
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Sven Nys
I would like to take this opportunity to comment on Mr. Thompson's letter decrying your winning ways.
Dear Mr. Nys, I would like to see you continue on, season after season, winning every race you are capable of winning. Unlike some others, I believe that in order for racing to mean something, you have to beat the best and not the second best.
Tom Kunich
San Leandro, CA, USA
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Floyd Fairness Fund
In response to Mr. Arsenault's letter regarding the lab not knowing who the sample vial belonged to. If you had taken any time at all to review Landis' defense, you would see that the lab knew exactly whose sample they were testing. One of the many questionable practices in this particular case.
If you don't want to give to the Floyd Fairness Fund, fine. Why are you afraid of Floyd finding out the truth? Then again, folks are known by the company they keep, and since you seem to think Floyd doesn't have the right to a fair hearing, your company includes one Dick Pound.
Kate Johnson
USA
Monday, January 29, 2007
The Floyd Fairness Fund #2
I couldn't agree more with Mr. Arsenault. The fact that this 'cause' has raised $150,000 is absolutely ridiculous. Imagine what more worthwhile and meaningful things that money could be put towards. And if your argument is that its a good cause because he deserves a fair defense, then why not donate to everyone else who's tested positive or been banned?
What, are there too many? Okay, how about just Phonak riders?
Lets see, that's Jochen Summer, Mathias Buxhofer, Oscar Camenzind, Tyler Hamilton, Santi Perez, Tomas Nose (okay, so he didn't actually test positive, he was just caught with a suitcase full of doping products), Santi Gonazlez (okay, it was just a high hematocrit. Nobody cares about that as long as it's not Marco Pantani, right?), Sascha Urweider, JE Gutierrez (just one of those innocent Puerto guys), Santi Botero (again with the Puerto thing), and Fabrizio Guidi (who's B sample actually came back negative, and was thus cleared of all charges and allowed to race... funny how that works, isn't it?).
So, that's 11 defense funds for one team in five years. That's a lot of cheques you people have written. It's a good thing because those labs really seemed to be out to get that team. At least they all received fair defenses with your contributions.
Mark McKenzie
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The sorry state of pro-cycling
Everytime I hear Lance/Landis/Hamilton/Basso/etc deny doping, I cringe. Every time I hear Dick Pound accuse someone/anyone of doping, I cringe. Teams signing riders that are under suspicion of doping, riders admitting it after the fact, riders accusing other riders, organizations pointing fingers at other organizations, questioning of lab results and procedures, etc, etc, etc.
Five years ago I knew next to nothing about pro-cycling. Then I got into racing and started eating it all up. Now I find myself watching for the next scandal rather than even looking at results anymore. That's weak.
I think I have had enough. The sport - in a professional sense - is a joke. Debate it all you want but that's what it is right now. Doping, bickering and lawsuits. I challenge anyone to describe it as anything more.
Memo to pro-cycling: from here on, you'll have to carry on without me.
Neil Johnson
Monday, January 29, 2007
Recent letters pages
Letters 2007
- January 26: Drug testing methodologies, Museeuw the PR man, Museeuw's insults, Johan Museeuw and Tyler Hamilton, Sven Nys, Conduct in the pro peloton, McQuaid unhappy with Pereiro, Put doping in the correct context, Moreau wins 2006 TDF, Who wins the 2006 Tour now?, Drapac Porsche's exclusion from the TDU, Bike sponsorship, Compact geometry, The Floyd Fairness Fund
- January 19: Drapac-Porsche and the TDU, Bettini to win the Ronde?, Frame geomtry, Phil Liggett's recently stated views, Prudhomme's zealotry, 3 cheers for Christian Prudhomme, Deutschland Tour, 3 cheers for Saunier Duval, Dick Pound, Fairness in Operation Puerto?, Do the maths, The Floyd Fairness Fund
- January 12: Dick Pound, Just 'Pound' him, Pound casts doubt on Landis, Pound comments, The Dick and Pat Show, McQuaid starts cultural polemic, Why the Pro Tour model will never work, The Floyd Fairness Fund, Riders' union, Cyclo-cross reader poll results, Danny Clark - an inspiration, Allan Peiper, Do the maths, Peter Van Petegem's secret, Justice and America, Lance in Leadville, Tubeless road tires
- January 5: Danny Clark - an inspiration, Legal standards and cycling, Peter Van Petegem's secret, Lance a no show for Leadville, Cyclo-cross reader poll results, Do the maths, A fair trial, Tubeless road tires, Manzano's polygraph test, Blind trust in implicated riders, A terrible state of affairs, Armstrong's credibility - the conspiracy theories, Best ride ever
Letters 2006
- December 29: Lance in Leadville, Leadville Trail 100, Manzano's polygraph test, British Cycling and the Tour de France, Tell me, what's the problem?, "Disco" team?, Presumption of innocence, Landis and the Landaluze case, Landis' defense fund, American culture, Armstrong's credibility, Back room politics and the IPCT
- December 22: Scott Peoples, Hypocrite?, Landis and the Landaluze case, Landis' defense fund, Rumours and innuendo, Bjarne Riis interview, Enough already, Back room politics and the IPCT, Armstrong's credibility, American culture, Bjarne's ignorance factor, Deutschland Tour and Denmark Tour, Operation Puerto and the UCI
- December 15: A totally predictable situation?, Armstrong's credibility, Deutschland Tour and Denmark Tour, Back room politics and the IPCT, Holczer and others, Holczer and the Discovery exclusion, Bjarne's ignorance factor, Can't we all just get along?, DNA safety, Floyd Landis on Real Sports, Genevieve Jeanson, Mark McGwire, Operación Puerto bungled...deliberately?, Operation Puerto and the UCI
- December 8: Genevieve Jeanson, Floyd Landis on Real Sports, Deutschland Tour, Bjarne's ignorance factor, USADA does it again, Labs and testing, Astana denied ProTour license, Isaac Gálvez, McQuaid, Question about DNA testing, Le Tour de Langkawi 2007
- December 1: Hamilton, Isaac Gálvez, USADA does it again, Bjarne's ignorance factor, Shorten the Vuelta?, Vuelta short, shorter, shortest, Labs and testing, Ullrich to CSC, Clean up cycling's own house first, Fed up with doping, Strange sponsorships, What about Leipheimer?, French anti-doping laboratory, Basso agrees to DNA testing, Basso to Discovery, What's going on behind the scenes?, Graeme Obree
- November 24: Graeme Obree, What about Leipheimer?, French anti-doping laboratory, Basso agrees to DNA testing, Basso to Discovery, Richard Virenque, UCI are the problem, What's going on behind the scenes?
- November 17: Saiz and Tinkoff, Countdown to the 2007 Tour, Improving the reliability of testing, Basso to Discovery, Cycling and DNA testing, Forgetting Tom Simpson, Operación Puerto and national federations, Refusing DNA testing - an admission of guilt?. Reverse blood doping, Richard Virenque, What's going on behind the scenes?
- November 10: Forgetting Tom Simpson, Tour Route, Basso to Discovery, Cycling and DNA testing, What is DNA testing?, Refusing DNA testing - an admission of guilt?, Jan Ullrich, Operación Puerto and national federations, Reverse blood doping, What's going on behind the scenes?, Comments on McQuaid
- November 3: Tour Route, Return of a real good guy, Cameron Jennings, Future Australian ProTour team, Neil Stephens, 2007 Tour Intro Video Snub, Richard Virenque, Reverse blood doping, Comments on McQuaid, Marc Madiot, Who's more damaging?, What's going on behind the scenes?, Wada & Cycling's Governing Body, UCI and Doping, The Pope of Cycling and the Spanish Inquisition, Refusing DNA testing - an admission of guilt?, Put up or shut up!, DNA, its so ‘easy', DNA Testing In Cycling
