Letters to Cyclingnews - February 27, 2009

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.

Kimmage and Armstrong
Armstrong drops Catlin
Michael Rogers
Frederiek Nolf
French suspend Schumacher for two years
Valverde's case
Frank but still wrong
VDB's Frankness
Aero rules
Alpe d'Huez of America
Rock, Radio & Astana
Drug use in baseball and cycling
Harry Hill: Olympic Bronze Medalist 1936
Runners
TOC Clowns
No radio

Kimmage and Armstrong

Being from Ireland I'm feeling quite embarrassed and annoyed by Paul Kimmage's comments before the Tour of California. When are people like Kimmage and others going to give cycling a chance to stand up on its own legs again? Here we have a man who has returned to the sport to promote cancer awareness pretty much free of charge and by doing so to help silence his critics has even requested all his test results be posted on his site. The most tested athlete by all accounts, and still Kimmage is on this man's back all the time.

Would it be not more in line to write the odd time about the amount of work Pat McQuaid and the UCI are doing to try and combat this problem...no. And why? Because good news just doesn't sell newspapers and raise journalists' profiles. Everyone knows cycling has been riddled with performance enhancers but is it just not comprehensible to journalists that maybe the message is actually getting across to some people or is it that cycling is just an impossible sport unless you are doped to the eye balls. Everyone is aware of the cyclists on the Operacion Puerto list but what happened to the other supposed athletes that were on the list? Why isn't Kimmage and co giving the same effort to find who these guys are?

We are in rough times and constant negative press is going to lead to sponsors either withdrawing or not entering the sport. Are these guys not going to be happy until professional cycling is gone completely? It is obvious to me that the pro peloton is getting cleaner when all these guys who have served suspensions feel they can return and compete at such a level without having to rely on enhancers. If these guys have any passion or love for the sport other than lining their own pockets please try and help the sport other than dragging it down at every opportunity. It would be nice to see an equal amount of articles about the amount of negative results that these governing bodies find or the benefits Lance's return to cycling is having within the world of cancer research.

Richie McNamara
Dublin, Ireland
Thursday, February 19, 2009

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Kimmage and Armstrong #2

As one of those "around the world that has been affected by [cancer]*," and speaking for myself, I take no offence against Mr. Kimmage for his recent characterisation of Mr. Armstrong, and I surely do not appreciate Mr. Armstrong assuming the authority to speak for me - especially with such intolerant, hateful words that tell a man "You are not worth the chair you are sitting on".

Indeed, if even half of what has legitimately been alleged about Armstrong is true - the numerous firsthand accounts and sworn testimony of former teammates and associates, the test results, his conduct towards those who have spoken out about doping within cycling - then Kimmage's metaphor (and that's what it was, not any sort of insult to those affected by cancer) is appropriate, perhaps even understated. Armstrong has never credibly addressed these charges, choosing instead to respond with public displays of hostility that have now descended to the level of naked aggression with his brutal verbal assault on the very worth of another human being. However unwittingly, Armstrong makes Kimmage look like a prophet for having alleged revenge as the motive for coming back, since we have just seen the first score being settled.

At least in his exchange with Greg LeMond last September, Armstrong insisted that the press conference would not "go negative" since he meant to "talk about the global cancer campaign, the comeback to cycling, and the credibility in and around that". At that point, I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, but any credibility he might have wished to command is now gone, not only as a result of his treatment of Kimmage, but also for having reneged on a public promise to subject himself to "the most advanced anti-doping program in the world," which would be conducted in a "completely independent" manner, because "ultimately... we as fans must get back to enjoying the race and respecting the riders and their performances." (Perhaps the drama of Armstrong's press-conference performance is intended for the viewing enjoyment of cycling fans everywhere).

This time, he did not even try to conceal his contempt, which he had the gall to wrap in self-righteous, counterfeit outrage on behalf of the "noble cause" he purports to have come back for and those whom he professes to care about, but both of which he is brazenly willing to co-opt for advantage in his personal feuds. Such conduct is beyond the pale from a public spokesperson (even a self-appointed one) for any sort of worthy cause, and it lays bare the dark forces at work in this man - forces that may now be said to constitute an ugly blight not merely on cycling, but upon the fight against cancer itself.

*In my childhood, cancer claimed my father, and later on, my sister as well.

Charles Howe
Olmsted Falls, Ohio

Saturday, February 21, 2009

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Kimmage and Armstrong #3

The comeback of Lance Armstrong has been big news in the cycling world for the past few months. Whilst cycling has enjoyed a rise in profile due to the Armstrong effect I believe that it will ultimately be to the detriment of the sport.

The verbal exchange between Lance Armstrong and Paul Kimmage in Sacramento was for me a big eye opener and gave me cause to reflect on the developments in professional cycling in the past year.

After Operacion Puerto many became disillusioned with the sport. It was clear that something needed to be done once and for all to rid the scourge of doping from cycling. Biological passports and increased out of competition testing were planned. We all believed that we were heading towards a bright future and that out of the darkness professional cycling would emerge as the quintessentially pure sport.
Publications promised to focus on those who were 'doing it clean' and ignore those who had cheated to send out a message: if you turn your back on us by cheating then we will turn our backs on you.

There is no doubt that these measures have in a large part been effective. Many agree that last years Tour de France was one of the cleanest ever, previously invincible big names disappeared off the radar whilst young riders came to the fore winning races left right and centre. Previously 'untalented' riders began to win races. Cycling begins to seem more human again.

And then the suspensions start to end, one by one. Basso, Sevilla, Hamilton, Landis return, all unrepentant. We start to welcome them back, remembering the 'good old days' when they were fine bike riders, we forget how they did it. We begin to ignore the small guys. We are in danger of making the same mistakes again, didnt we believe after Festina that things would be different? That mistake took us to the brink, in these economically hard times we cannot make the same mistakes again, sponsers are too thin on the ground, cycling will be in immense danger.

Armstrong's return is a short term gain. Paul Kimmage was right to challenge him in that press conference, the focus used to be on anti-doping, now it is on Lance Armstrong, a rider whose achievements are beginning to look more and more hollow. "You don't have a patent on cancer. I'm interested in the cancer of doping in cycling. That has been my life's work! I raced as a professional and I exposed it. Then you come along and the problem disappears'' is what Kimmage said. It would be wise for cycling to heed his words.

Niall Bleeks
Dungannon, Ireland
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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Armstrong drops Catlin

First, Lance Armstrong's words:

"When I began to think about coming back, I knew that because there had been questions in the past, many of which we considered to be unfounded, I knew that there would be questions about performance. Like there are questions about all kinds of performance, if it's a 100 metre dash at the Olympic Games or if it's the 100 metre free style at the Olympic Games, people will question good performances, and I doubt that I can perform well.

But in the off chance that I do perform well, I didn't want to leave any doubt, and so I reached out to Don and asked him to oversee this program, to be completely independent, completely removed, for me to do whatever he asked me, I would do whatever he asked me to do. I think it's a landmark program. I think it's the first time where an athlete can actually be totally validated in the chance that he's successful.

In my opinion is that Don Catlin is beyond reproach. He is one of the foremost researchers in the Anti-Doping Movement. His CV is a mile long and I don't need to try to repeat it, but I have told Don and I told him last night and I will continue to tell him this. Don I have myself, I have my bicycle and I have my cause, you come whenever and however you want to come in order to validate these performances. And I felt like that was an important part of this equation as well."

I agree with Mr. Armstrong that today's fans question good performances - they have been given many, many reasons do so. Given that fact, I can appreciate why Mr. Armstrong wants to leave no doubt with respect to his own performances.

I agree with Mr. Armstrong that Mr. Catlin is one of the foremost researchers in doping detection techniques. I was excited to hear that Mr. Armstrong was prepared to do whatever it took to participate in a programme he described as "completely independent" and the first in which "an athlete can actually be totally validated... that he's successful." I was excited when Mr. Armstrong invited Mr. Catlin to test him "whenever and however... in order to validate [his] performances."

And so I was diappointed when, on February 11, Mr. Armstrong withdrew his invitation to Mr Catlin. Mr. Armstrong rejected the program he had very specifically and publicly asked Mr. Catlin to develop for the purpose of lending credibility to Mr. Armstrong's return to cycling. Mr. Armstrong said that the logistics and administration of the tests was difficult. Undoubtedly they would be for an athlete unused to the demands of anti-doping measures at the highest echelon of a sport already squarely under the public microscope. But for the most tested athlete in cycling history? Mr. Armstrong also said it was expensive. Undoubtedly it would have been for the vast majority of the peloton, most of whom are not rich men. But for one of the richest sports figures in the world?

Now Mr. Catlin is gone, but these questions remain, as does the largest one, which Mr. Armstrong hoped to settle by bringing on Mr. Catlin and putting to rest once for all the doubts about his performance: What is his true legacy in the sport of cycling?

Brad Bolin
Minneapolis, MN, USA
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
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Michael Rogers

All power to Michael!

Apologies in advance to all our American friends and followers of Lance's return, but as an Aussie and a long-time supporter of Michael I am jumping with joy over his Tour of California result.

Ever since that fateful day while leading the TdF and crashing we have been waiting for the return of Mr Rogers at full power. Aussie cycling is a small community and we are blessed to have so many riders at the top level of road and track at the moment (mind you, there is a lot of fun imagining a future clash between Phinney and Bobridge). What a delight it would be for Michael to be at his best for the remainder of the season.

Wish we could have seen it live on tv... you guys are our next best thing!

Andrew Lawry
Melbourne
Australia
Friday, February 20, 2009
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Frederiek Nolf

Before everyone jumps on the doping bandwagon and assumes all deaths such as Nolf's are caused by doping please read the article from the University of Connecticut Health Center: http://www.uchc.edu/ocomm/newsarchive/news05/may05/youngathletes.html (you can also try to search Google for more articles on the subject of young deaths in athletes both right after exercise and while sleeping).

Basically it states that in some young athletes a heart condition can be difficult to diagnose and sometimes the first symptom is often sudden death due to the undetected heart anomalies. Granted, there are deaths that are drug/doping related but to assume Nolf was doping and died because of it is a stupid assumption, especially with no grounds to base your opinions.

So unless you have concrete evidence that points to drug use, I think it'd be more respectful to adhere to the wishes of the parents so they can bury their son in peace. And if it does turn out that his death was drug-related than that's the price he paid to play with fire. But until then, please keep your opinions on any alleged doping to yourself.

Gary Lee
Daly City, CA, USA
Friday, February 20, 2009

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Frederiek Nolf #2

Two readers in the last batch of letters all but accused Frederiek Nolf of contributing to his own tragic death by doping. This is highly insensitive. Cycling may have a reputation for doping but it is wrong to jump to conclusions at a time like this.

What happened to Nolf was a reminder of how fragile life can be. People say that dying in their sleep at 21 is unnatural; unfortunately this is not the case. There are many reported cases of what is called 'sudden death syndrome.' Apparently healthy young people may suddenly die in their sleep or during physical exercise. Readers from Ireland may recall the case of Cormac McAnallen, the 24-year-old gaelic footballer who died suddenly in his sleep in 2004. The death was caused by an undetected heart condition. This is just one case of many and tragically many people die at a much younger age from the condition.

I believe Frederiek Nolfs' death was not suspicious at all. I also believe an autopsy would not have served any purpose other than to prolong his family's suffering. It is important to listen to all arguments before making such hefty allegations.

Niall Bleeks
Ireland
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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Frederiek Nolf #3

I strongly suggest those who believe that young people don't die suddenly of naturally causes learn about Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome. The first I ever heard about it was when a friend died while running to catch a train, no warning, no danger signs, just toppled over with his heart failing to beat. SADS does kill young healthy people and it does not leave a trace. Please learn more before making accusations about the dead and the wishes of their family.

For more info visit http://www.sads.org.uk/ or look it up on Wikipedia.

Bert Heathwood
Willunga, Australia
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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Frederiek Nolf #4

I know of a young cyclist who died quite naturally of a heart attack at the age of 21, and a post mortem revealed nothing unnatural and that it was not uncommon and most likely hereditry.So to those who have written with pointed fingers, research your facts before making unsubstantiated speculations.

Michel LeClerc
Aquitaine, France
Saturday, February 14, 2009

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Frederiek Nolf #5

Actually there is a 'natural' cause for such deaths in young athletes. One such cause is Dilated Cardiomyopathy. This disorder takes it share of young athletes every year and some forms are likely to have a genetic basis. It is not common by any means but it may be more likely to show up in athletes because of the stress they put on their cardiovascular systems. An assumption of doping in this unfortunate young man's death is both unwarranted and incredibly insensitive. That said, I think an autopsy would have been useful to the family of the rider and to scientists who have been trying to sort out the cause of cardiovascular diseases that show up as fatal events in young athletes.

Gary Stetler
Boulder, CO, USA
Friday, February 19, 2009

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Frederiek Nolf #6

Mr Pedie and Mr Cowie write in their letters, "where else but in cycling...would [it] be concluded that (Nolf) died of natural causes?" and "young, fit sportsmen do not die naturally at the age of 21."

Their implication that Frederiek Nolf might have used drugs which led to his death is purely speculative, compounded further by baseless allegations of cover up. They have no evidence to support their claims, except guilt by association, or false analogy: Cyclist have died from using drugs; Frederiek Nolf was a cyclist; Frederiek Nolf's death was cause by drugs.

I find such a mindset disturbing and destructive because it makes all cyclists guilty of drug use simply because they are cyclists. Anyone who thinks that way probably shouldn't bother follow cycling at all. The fact is that young people, seemingly in perfect health, DO die in their sleep of entirely natural causes. I am not a doctor, but I've read of many very fit people who died suddenly. Marathoner Ryan Shay collapsed and died in 2007 while competing in the U.S. Olympic Trials. The cause of death was attributed to an enlarged heart, which is fairly common among endurance athletes. An enlarged heart combined with other hereditary factors could readily explain Nolf's sudden, sad death.

Yes, we know that cyclists have used drugs and sometimes died as a result. In the late eighties, there were reports of young Dutch & Belgian cyclists dying in their sleep, deaths attributed to the blood-thickening effects of EPO. But this fact does not necessarily mean that Nolf's death was caused by EPO use, or anything else, and we should respect his father's wish to forgo an autopsy - without casting doubt upon them.

A young man has fallen in the prime of his youth, and a father has lost his son. Let his father mourn, and Frederiek rest, in peace.

David Randleman
Omaha, Nebraska, USA
Friday, February 19, 2009

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Frederiek Nolf #7

Whilst suspected doping as a cause of death is the clear inference of your two letters about Frederiek Nolf, it is neither the only nor even the most likely conclusion. Sad to say, but extremely fit young athletes do die of natural causes, primarily from what's termed Sudden Cardiac Death resulting from a number of structural cardiac problems created or exacerbated by the sort of exercise regimes required by top-level sport.

Basketball, American football and football (soccer) all have well documented cases of highly trained, apparently healthy players who have died suddenly due to catastrophic heart failure, either during or after exercise. Some studies indicate that the average age for such deaths is in late adolescence, 17 to 18 years, corresponding to new peaks in training load and physiological changes - 21 is not out of that ball park.

If there's anything to be suspected it's that the UCI may have to embark on the sort of program that Scottish and English football has trialled, which is monitoring junior athletes for arrhythmias and other structural defects which can lead to SCD.

Darren Wright
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

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French suspend Schumacher for two years

The last shoe (macher) has dropped. Finally! Let's not ask, "What took so long?" Obviously, Mr. Schumacher was not able to get a note from his mother this time, so we have a verdict, which we have to assume the UCI will uphold. This is good for cycling..

Risking looking like a total 'Cycling News fanatico' (my wife gave me this word), I am not afraid to say that you guys stayed on this story, for the longest time, and have done a wonderful job in delivering the news. It is February. The Tour was in July. I don't think this would be such a big story, if it wasn't for Mr. Schumacher and all his self-serving lip speak, but it has all been very interesting and I appreciate the effort that has been made to get the CORRECT information.

Personally, I am trying very hard to welcome the dopers back to cycling, but I am stuck. Here are some very special cyclists, who could have been good under any set of conditions, but they wanted to win so bad that they cheated. I don't have a problem with the person but the behaviour can never be excused. I do not see the value in having these men as a part of the peloton again.

Can't we get rid of doping forward and backwards? Do we always have to be confounded by cheaters, past and present? The Tour of California has grown to be quite an event here in the US. The racing has been the very best and very interesting in every stage thus far, but all the time the announcers are always asking, sort of, "Where are the dopers?" Are the dopers coming up? Have they fallen back? Have they fallen down? I do not like it. I just want to see Mr. Cavendish come over the line first.

nd Mr. Leipheimer? Gee! The guy has perfect form, even when McCartney tries to block him off the road. Can we have any more understatment and humility? He is a wonderful guy and he's not doing any dope, so I don't care what he says. He is most, if not all, of the time, crediting someone else with something good and not in any way being self-serving. All of this goodness makes me want to vomit, of course, but as Thoreau says, "Goodness is the only investment that never fails."

Reuben Ryder
Cornwall, NY
Thursday, February 19, 2009

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Valverde's case

A few thoughts about the Operacion Puerto Affair. From what I know of the 200 bags of blood seized in the Fuentes Laboratory only a few riders were given a suspension. That includes Basso, Scarponi, Jaksche, and a few more. Ullrich ended his career. And all the other implicated riders and athletes from other sports (soccer, tennis) simply got away with that! Well I think this is unbelievable and unacceptable!

Why did Valverde get away with it? Because he's Spanish? He always declared that if anyone would ask for a match of his DNA samples he would agree to it. Because he was sure no one could do that! Now he is surprised that CONI did the match. I think someone from the UCI or WADA should find a solution quickly or he might get away with it again. I believe that if you are guilty in Italy and Germany then you should be also in Spain and USA. Why no one seems to back up CONI's action. Why did any rider express disbelief? I am really curious about how it will end.

Simone Orsi
Milan, Italy
Wednesday, February 18, 2009

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Frank but still wrong

I just read the article from 24 February about Frank Vandenbroucke. I cannot believe his audacity and his arrogance. To state that he won with honesty because the other riders were all doped is completely ridiculous. I think most people are about 5 or 6 when they learn that "two wrongs don't make a right." To continue on with that mindset and even have regrets that he wasn't given a chance "to be a pioneer, to try out new doping products first" makes it clear that this man is part of the sickness that is killing this sport.

He gives the impression of being a rabid dog - frothing at the mouth for a new drug to make him faster. Well, there is only one thing to do with a rabid dog and someone from team Cinelli-Down Under needs to take that step before he infects other. What a disservice to other riders. What a disservice to amateurs and fans. What a danger for future riders. Frank, you need to head back under the bridge (Broucke) you came from!

Are you sure this wasn't supposed to be an April Fools report? I had to check the date. Unbelievable.

Kurt Erickson
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

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VDB's Frankness

Thanks so much for publishing VDB's perspective on one part of his career in the late 90's. He was honest about racing at the elite level, using dope, among many others using the same "resources". I always thought that Jan Ulrich would be a rider that would come forth with this type of honesty, (apologies to Paul Kimmage). But Jan had too much to lose I suppose, like many others do.

Chuck Scarpelli
Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

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Aero rules

With regard to your story about the UCI changing the rules again.

I was watching the Flying Scotsman last night on DVD. It seems we will be going through all this hoo hah again, only instead of one rider being singled out and affected it will now be component manufacturers who are already facing tough times under the current economic circumstances. Businesses will collapse and jobs will be lost all to take the sport a few steps backwards. Nice one, UCI, very public-spirited.

Why can't the rules on bike desgn be simple, such as the bike must be powered by the legs and the riders head should be in front of their hips. For me, some of the most exciting times in cycling were pre-1997 when designers had a relatively free hand and came up with some beautiful bikes and interesting ideas. I wonder whether Bernard Hinault would have been able to use his clipless pedals or Greg Lemond his tri bars were they faced with the luddites in charge today. And where would we be? Going a lot slower for a start...

Mark Hallard
Manchester, UK
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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Aero rules #2

Why would any race official allow an aero bike in the prologue stage of a stage race and then decide to enforce a (new) rule that would ban the bike on another stage of the same stage race. Decisions like that are reasons why officials sometimes have problems earning respect from racers, directors and mechanics. Can we get CONSISTENCY at least within one seven-day stage race? Drop the drama, since you didn't start the stage race by enforcing the rule. Did any directors protest the prologue results because there were some 8:2.25 sections in the race? Is seven days of consistent officiating too much to ask for?

Jim Wright
Jacksonville, FL
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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Alpe d'Huez of America

Finally a debate on American mountains... I have wondered about this for a while. I believe that the "Alp d'Huez of America" is in fact close to where I live (where else would it be?).

I submit: the road up Mount Humphrey's outside of Flagstaff, Arizona. It is about seven miles long, it dead-ends at the "Snow-Bowl" ski resort, and it has some very long, very steep grades. It starts around 7000 feet above sea level and ends at around 9000 feet! Toughness: 10/10.

Cory Thompson
Scottsdale, AZ
Monday, February 23, 2009

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Rock, Radio & Astana

First, let me say thanks to Michael Ball. Thank you, Mr. Ball, for investing in cycling. Thank you for giving cyclists like Hamilton and Mancebo (who have served their time or never even been charged with anything but innuendo, respectively) the chance to continue to prove their merit on the road. I'm glad that these guys are out there. (And ditto for Landis... here's hoping for better luck with the rest of the season!) Also, thanks for the stellar kits; Rock's got style.

I would also like to offer my less sincere gratitude to race radio. Thank you, race radio, for making the races so much more stable. I hate finishes like the ToC's Stage 2. I hate not knowing what's going to happen and I cringe when I see such a brave solo effort come to fruition. I hate having to worry about anything other than how close to the finish line the break will be caught and which one of the day's pre-ordained favourites will win.

I don't think it's fair that cyclists should have to rely on their wits and instincts. I'm sure you've read the reports about the confusion in the peloton about how much of a gap Mancebo had built up. How is that fair to the cyclists hanging out in the bunch? racing should be all about power meters, effort carefully measured and expended in doses, and - most importantly - the DS in the car with a calculator measuring the time gaps on race radio. Just a big equation, really. It's only civilised.

Finally, thanks Astana, for making all the Grand (and some of the minor) Tours such sure things. I don't know if we even need to run them anymore. I'd prefer not, that is a lot of additional stress in my life... not to mention the hampered productivity at work as I follow the stages via live feed. I think it's a lot less stressful for the cyclists, too.

Imagine how comforting it must be for Contador, Leipheimer, Kloeden, Horner, Armstrong, Brajkovic, Rubiera, Popovych, and Zubeldia to know that they don't have to race AGAINST each other, competing for the overall, but WITH each other. That way, they can all quietly crowd in to the top ten and still claim the honour of having one of their teammates win the overall. I'm already excited to see what promising young talents Astana will pick up this winter from their feeder teams in the ProTour.

Rob Ware
Austin, TX, USA
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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Drug use in baseball and cycling

Cycling should take pride for their fight against illegal doping over the past 40+ years! The program for professional cycling, although not perfect, must be considered far superior to that of other professional sports.

Money is the motivating factor. Ok, success, but with success comes money, and the money in Major League Baseball is huge. I find it naïve when people are surprised to find doping in any US professional sport. These athletes have too much at stake and until recently there has been little to no regulation.

As for Alex Rodriguez, I don't think MLB had a policy against steroids during the period he tested positive. If this is correct then he would not have violated any formal policy. He will lose money, there are rumblings about his current records and his future hall of fame status, which is ludicrous. Who knows what stuff other athletes took and when... going all the way back to Babe Ruth!

Alex Rodriguez took a voluntary and confidential drug test for which there was to be no consequence. The information was "leaked" and now he is and will pay a consequence. He should file suit against the offending agency for loss of future earnings. He also came clean (well, sort of)... he didn't demand to re-test or request an independent lab review the B sample (yet)... he obviously doesn't follow cycling.

Competitive athletes always try to improve performance, hopefully legally and within the guidelines of their sport's governing body. Even though this weekend's $10 criterium will have its share amateur dopers... cycling is way ahead of the game.

Bryan Miller
Carlsbad, CA, USA
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

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Drug use in baseball and cycling #2

Timothy Shame of the USA, in his letter of February 12th, touched on the A-Rod steroid use in baseball. I would like to add to Mr. Shame's excellent letter. You see, I put a lot of the blame for drug usage in sport on the fans. Before you scream, please hear my reasons.

First, as a young man growing up watching American style tackle football, not Soccer or world football, players who weighted 275 pounds or more were considered fat. Now days, we have entire offensive and defensive lines that average over 300 pounds, with many hitting 325-350. When something like this happens, polls results show that fans simply do not care. It is all about winning. Fans do not care what players do as long as their team is winning. Results, 300-plus pound linemen blow 275 pound linemen away.

Baseball players who are much larger and more muscle bound now than in the past. Even as far back as the 1970's you did not see this huge baseball players. So, big homerun totals, homeruns that used to travel 415 feet were considered long homeruns. Now days, there are many that have gone 450-500 feet on average. When I see a small, 5 foot 8, 185 pound baseball player hitting a baseball over 425 feet, something is very, very wrong. Those type of small players used to hardly ever hit a ball over the fence. Now days, everyone is hitting these massively long homeruns. This is what fans want. This is what the fans come to see. Their football team crushing others and baseball players hitting balls a mile.

Since the testing of baseball players, you see the totals of homeruns have dropped. I remember Sammy Sousa being a skinny guy hitting a few homeruns, then getting big in size and hitting massive homeruns. Then with testing, he got skinny again. That was because Sammy could not use steroids any more. His homerun totals came down, and Sammy was gone from the game. Everyone cheered when Sammy and Mark McGuire were hitting massive homeruns. McGuire on average was hitting balls 450-500 feet No one wanted to hear they were on steroids.

So, I hold fans accountable also. If we demanded clean sports, then the games would clean up. If we quit buying a team or player's merchandise, that would clean them up. Teams and players make millions off these sales. But, we fans, if we want clean sports, have got to stop supporting sports that cheat. I certainly have done my part. I no longer buy sports merchandise, T-shirts, player's jerseys, etc. I simply refuse to give my money to drug cheats. I guess it has to do with integrity. Someone must have it. If the players don't, then I guess I have too.

Danny Autrey
USA
Saturday, February 14, 2009

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Harry Hill: Olympic Bronze Medalist 1936

I would like to call your attention to the recent passing at the age of 91 years old of Harry Hill who rode in the 1936 Olympics, those known for the record breaking runs of Jesse Owens. Hill was the oldest surviving male medal winner of those games. Furthermore and quite fantastically, Harry Hill set the World Record for Miles Per Hour on a Velo-Track at 25 miles in 1937. How incredible it is that at the age of 80 years old, he sought to match his feat only to come up 1.5 miles short! That has to be inspiration for a lot of us old-timers. Other aspects of his life show he was a true cycling hero. Please see this link for more: http://www.burytimes.co.uk/news/radcliffenews/4103768.Goodbye_to_a_true_cycling_superstar/.

K. Stems
Sunday, February 15, 2009

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Runners

Seeing the crowds at the Tour of California was great. It gives us hope that bicycle racing in America is still on the rise. It gives validity to the sport that many of us love. It also brings to light a growing problem in the world of cycling, no I am not talking about doping, I am talking about a problem that is far more reaching and one that is potentially harmful to our beloved sport and favorite riders. I am talking about the "runners", those morons that run beside the riders and try to steal the show.

These runners are an international problem. How many of you cheered a couple of years ago when they showed the scenes of the motorcycle running over the runner at the Tour De France? I do not normally wish harm on others, but I was out of my seat cheering on that one!

This year at the Tour of California we witnessed more close calls and more poor judgment from these runners than ever before. Did anyone else notice the shirtless wonder cross right in front of Jason McCartney's wheel as he went for some KOM points? This is prime example how a race may be compromised by a runner taking out a rider.

Let's band together and propose a worldwide ban on the runners. I love the fact that at most races we are not caged off by barriers, and close access to the riders is part of what makes bicycle racing the greatest sport there is, but the runners are going to ruin it for all of us. If one of these horn wearing-sumo-wrestling-Elvis idiots takes down Levi, Lance, Jason or god forbid a leader's jersey, organisers will be caging off the tops of our beloved climbs.

I would like to see a fleet of motorcycles, manned with whiffle-ball bat carrying passengers, riding about one minute before the peloton. The "Enforcers" will be responsible for spotting anyone who remotely looks like they might want to be a runner and then whack! Whack! Whack!

I know my ideas may be going to the extreme, so let's start by discouraging anyone from running nicely and if that does not resolve the issue then let the WHACKING begin!

Ken Lefler
Iowa City, IA, USA
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

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TOC Clowns

Watching the Amgen TOC on tv, I noticed that the per-capita clown population on the roadsides increased exponentially as the geography tilted south. Is that because there have been so few stages 'down there' and hence the greater excitement? Or is it representative of the different attitudes and personalities contrasting with northern California?

It appeared the excitement put some riders in danger, adding to the already extremely high injury risk at the race this year. It was so sad to see Mancebo, Feriere, Kirchen, Jaques-Mayne, Omer Kem, and others break bones during the competition. Next year, all roads on the 'So-Cal' route should be fenced?

I do believe next year's route will favour southern California in order to improve the probability of better weather. February racing in 'Nor-Cal' is playing weather roulette. And the fans sure are excitable there.

Rob Belfoss
Livermore, CA, USA
Tuesday, February 24, 2009

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No radio

Not that anyone in the UCI will actually read this, but what about implementing a radio policy similar to the one in place for American football? In the NFL, each team can designate one offensive player (usually the quarterback) and one defensive player to wear helmets fit with radios so they can communicate with the coaches on the sidelines about play calls and general strategy.

What if each team in the peloton could designate one or two of their riders as radio carriers to serve as the link between the cars and the riders? That way, the directors could tell one of their riders that they need to press the chase of the breakaway group (or about a safety hazard), but it would still be up to that rider to communicate with the rest of his team.

Ed Morales
Wisconsin, USA
Thursday, February 26, 2009

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No radio #2

How refreshing - limited radio contact for stage one of the Tour of California. While the weather was foul, racing based on gut instincts rather than radioed instructions was wonderful. Radios have taken some of the fun out of racing and the lack of radios on this stage exposed some deficiencies in the tactical nous of some riders and teams.

Julius Liptak
Ottawa, Canada

Monday, February 16, 2009

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Recent letters pages

Letters 2009

• January 16: Vande Velde - my new homeboy, Michael Ball - a true amateur, A way with words, Lance's anti-doping programme?, Armstrong? Hold on there a minute!, Piepoli's 'mistake', Added perspective on Aussie elite, Painted on abs, Warm Spain?
• January 9: Piepoli's 'mistake', News coverage of Armstrong, Rock Racing, The new look, Australian time trial championships
• January 2: Piepoli's 'mistake', News coverage of Armstrong, Tinkov on his way out, Cadel Evans, Chicago Olympics road race, Viagra - a doping product?

Letters 2008

• December 18: Popo's holiday, News coverage of Armstrong, Old School Rules, Cycle Sport's Lance Armstrong interview, Cadel Evans, Rock-n-Rudy Racing, Viagra - a doping product?
• December 11: Kayle Leogrande, Boonen, Basso diary, Come on, Chris!, Is Kohl kidding?, Lance in the news, Popo's holiday, Schumacher off the radar?, Rock-n-Rudy Racing, Viagra - a doping product?
• December 5: Prevention better than cure, Is Kohl kidding?, Kayle Leogrande, Enforceable Biological Passport, Armstrong's team duties, The Cycling Path, Rock-n-Rudy Racing, Come on, Chris!, Viagra - a doping product?
• November 27: Is Kohl kidding?, Lessons from cycling, Why is Basso back?, Frank Vandenbroucke, Vino returns to Astana, Pevenage to Rock Racing, Rock-n-Rudy Racing, Pricey bike reviews, David Walsh article, Lance Armstrong, Cyclocross at the Olympics
• November 21: Pevenage to Rock Racing, Pricey Bike Reviews, Bobby Julich column, David Walsh article, Merida release, Chasing Fabian, Gilmore in Colombia, Frank Vandenbroucke, Albert's Tour remarks, Stylin' calendar dudes, Vino returns to Astana, Keep up the good work..., THC suspension, The Museeuw MF-1, Why is Basso back?, Basso diary, Taking it seriously, Moral high-horse, Gerdemann vs Armstrong, Don't do it Lance
• November 13: Taking it seriously, Basso's diary, David Walsh article, Gerdemann vs Armstrong, Boonen, Armstrong and Gerdemann, Germans pull the plug, Lifetime bans, Chasing Fabian
• November 13: Taking it seriously, Basso's diary, David Walsh article, Gerdemann vs Armstrong, Boonen, Armstrong and Gerdemann, Germans pull the plug, Lifetime bans, Chasing Fabian
• November 6: Boonen, Armstrong and Gerdemann, Doping, Germans pull the plug, Lifetime bans, UCI bans skinsuits
• October 30: Germans pull the plug, Doping, Kohl, Lifetime bans, UCI bans skinsuits, 2009 TdF parcours, LeMond's power test
• October 24: Doping, McQuaid's approach, Re-testing samples, Chris Horner, Germans pull the plug, Basso and Liquigas, Does doping work?, Lifetime bans, LeMond's power test, Rashaan Bahati
• October 17: Attitude to cheats, Doping, Lifetime bans, Solutions to doping problems, LeMond's power test, Rahsaan Bahati
• October 10: Enough is enough, Thomas Bach's comments, Recent positives, Riccò confesses to using EPO, Baden Cooke's comment, Holczer to sue Schumacher, Life bans for doping, Advice to Contador, My own comeback, Better Borat than Vinokourov, Lance has a Michael Jordan complex, Armstrong's busted former teammates, Astana, Lance vs Basso, Say it ain't so, Frank!, Leipheimer's best Grand Tour
• October 3: Another Armstrong Special: There comes a time, Guilty by association, Lance Armstrong returning, Armstrong comeback, Armstrong should be applauded, Lance is back, Armstrong and Astana, Mr Armstrong and SRAM, The resurrection of Lance, Armstrong's return
• September 25: The Armstrong Special: Armstrong obligations, Armstrong comeback, Armstrong riding for Astana, Armstrong's return, Guilty by association, Lance Armstrong and Taylor Phinney, The resurrection of Lance
• September 18: Armstrong come back, All round classification, Madiot's need to explain himself, Does doping work?, Exciting racing!, Contador and the Vuelta, Lance on Astana?, Say it isn’t So Lance!, ARD not looking forward to Armstrong return, Guilty by association, Garzelli, Scott Spark project bike
• September 12: Does doping work?, Scott Spark ultralight bike, Cadel stays with Silence-Lotto?, Vuelta, Giro, Tour triple, All round classification, Editorialising / opinion within articles, Do it twice or until you get it right, Olympic mountain biking, Say it isn't so Lance!, Armstrong come back, BMX....That's all?
• September 4: BMX....That's all?, Olympic mountain biking, Cadel stays with Silence-Lotto?, Head tube logos at Olympic Games, Fabio Baldato's premature retirement, Does doping work?, Cadel Evans and the Beige Jersey, Team Australia helmets, British track team's Olympic Games medals Pro cycling sponsorship
• August 29: BMX, Carlos Sastre, NRC Calendar, U-23 Championship road race fiasco, Therapeutic use exemptions - please explain, Phil Liggett encounter, John Fahey and Jacques Rogge on doping, Aussie Allan Davis?, Pro cycling sponsorship
• August 28: US cyclists and masks, Cadel, Cadel Evans and the Beige jersey, Levi Leipheimer’s Bike, Doping, Team Australia helmets, Lance and the doping debate, British Olympic track medals, BMX....That's all?
• August 22: Spanish federation questions Leipheimer's bronze, Hushovd's Look, Cadel's Injury, NRC Calendar, Phil Liggett encounter, British Olympic track medals, Therapeutic Use Exemptions - please explain, Truvativ HammerSchmidt, Carlos Sastre, Cadel Evans and the Beige Jersey
• August 21: Levi Leipheimers Bike, John Fahey and Jacques Rogge on doping, Cycling out of the Olympics, Team Australia helmets, Scott-American Beef excluded from Vuelta, Doping & money, U-23 National Championship RR fiasco, US Cyclists and masks, World Road race championships national quotas
• August 19: Therapeutic Use Exemptions - please explain, Carlos Sastre, Riccò confesses to using EPO, Lance and the doping debate, Cadel Evans and the Beige Jersey, Bring back bonus seconds to liven le Tour, Crank Length formula, Thank you, Confused
• August 14: Cycling out of the Olympics, U-23 Championship Road Race Fiasco, Phil Liggett encounter, WADA chief John Fahey, Moreno, John Fahey and Jacques Rogge on doping, Beijing Road Race, World Road race championships national quotas, Scott-American Beef excluded from Vuelta, US Cyclists and masks, Team Australia helmets
• August 7: Riccò confesses to using EPO, Carlos Sastre, Contador, A question for Susan Westemeyer, Confused, Lance and the doping debate, Accountability and cycling teams, Crank length formula, Bring back bonus seconds to liven le Tour, Yet another...Manual Beltran, ASO, doping and Astana
• July 31: A bike by any other name, Accountability and cycling teams, Andy Schleck "killing moves", Anti-doping chief calls Tour tests a success?, ASO, doping and Astana, Bad blood, Boycott le Tour and Olympics, Carlos Sastre, Bring back bonus seconds to liven le Tour, Canadian eh! Ryder Hesjedal, Cleaning up cycling, a suggestion, Confused, Crank Length Formula
• July 25: Confused, Consistency please, Damages paid, Dave Russell passes away, David Miller on Riccò, Do you believe?, Doping, ASO vs UCI, what is going on?, Evans to wear number one in Tour, How does Andy Schleck "kill all the moves"?
• July 24: Gerrans, One question & two predictions about the Tour, A bike by any other name, ASO, doping and Astana, Beating a dead horse, but..., Boycott le Tour and Olympics, Cascade Cycling Classic accident, Cleaning up cycling, a suggestion
• July 17 - Edition 2: The effect of time bonuses, Cascade Cycling Classic accident, Confused, Boycott le Tour and Olympics, Alison Starnes diary, Is McQuaid interested in Cycling at all?, More involvement needed from CPA, Teams ditch UCI, Yet another...Manual Beltran, LeMond: Cycling doesn't need UCI, Dave Russell passes away
• July 17 - Edition 1: Tour mountain cats, Is Pereiro getting a bum wrap?, Popovych! Where the bloody hell are you?, Evans' team-mates, Evans to wear number one in Tour, Poor quality of competition, Tour climbs, What if…, Riccó uses outdated bike in ITT, Fabian Wegmann's electronic Dura Ace problems?, Hushovd's Look, Stage 10 coverage was a treat!, Tour de France accident, EPO is back on the menu boys!, Consistency, please
• July 15: Tour de France: Stage 3 - The Badger is back!, Thor Hushovd's Look, Riccó uses outdated bike in ITT, Boycott le Tour and Olympics, Astana and the Tour, Romain Feillu, Cascade Cycling Classic accident, LeMond: Cycling doesn't need UCI, Tour de France accident, We Might As Well Win Review, Evans shoe covers, Pure climbers, Why on earth Danielson?, Historical information, Stefan Schumacher loses yellow, Sylvain Chavanel, Yet another...Manual Beltran, Stage 10 coverage was a treat!
• July 10: Stefan Schumacher, LeMond: Cycling doesn't need UCI, Excellent article - ASO v's UCI, Insulting comment, Romain Feillu, Pure climbers are they a thing of the past?, Evans and shoe covers, Evans to wear number one in Tour, Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, Experience with UST Mountain Tires, Boycott le Tour and Olympics, Astana and the Tour, Riders stuck in the middle, Oval bars, Landis decision
• July 4: WADA, Inconsistent Lab Analysis, and Landis, Rabobank and the Tour, ASO and past Tour winners, Landis decision, Teenager mauled by bear in Anchorage, Evans to wear number one in Tour, Experience with UST Mountain Tires, iPods while riding, Erik Zabel, Oval bars, ASO's hidden agenda, Joe Magnani, Djamolidine Abdoujaparov, Giro, ASO's world domination, Ban Boonen?, A Hollow Tour Victory
• June 26: ASO's hidden agenda, ASO's world domination, Ban Boonen?, Gilberto Simoni, Giro d'Italia, iPods while riding, Oval bars, Tour without minimum bike weight rule?, What about Friere
• June 19: ASO and the Vuelta, ASO's world domination, Ban Boonen?, Ban Boonen? Beware the inquisition, Boonen, Boonen vs. Petacchi, Boonen's Tour exclusion, Giro d'Italia, iPods while riding, Oval bars, Road rage incident, Tom Boonen exclusion from Tour de Suisse
• June 13: Tom Boonen and his nose, Apologies from Montreal, Chantal's Philly win, Gilberto Simoni, Boring first week of Grand Tours?, Giro d'Italia, iPods while riding, ASO and the Vuelta, Road rage incident, Astana chain choice
• June 5: Apologies from Montreal, Astana chain choice, Bennati and race radios, Race radio?, Gilberto Simoni, Giro winner, Good result in road rage court case, Helmets in the Giro, Lemond vs. Armstrong, Millar, No, no, you can't take that away from them, Oval bars, Review error, Ricardo Riccò, Road rage incident
• May 29: Bennati and race radios, Helmets in the Giro, Review error, LeMond vs. Armstrong, Losing something in the translation, Millar, Petacchi, Race radio?, Road rage incident, Weight work on the bike
• May 23: Road rage incident, How much will it take?, Paralysed cyclist, Fausto Exparza, David Millar, Basso gets a contract, Weight work, CAS and Petacchi, Shortest TdF, Petacchi & Piepoli
• May 15: Sydney road rage incident, Steegmans lashes out at UCI, Steve Hogg's article, World Cup #3 XC, Where is Chris Horner, Slipstream, Astana and Le Tour, Giro stage 5!, US time trial Champion?, Basso gets a contract, Race radios, CAS ruling on Petacchi, Hamilton's integrity? Dude!, Weight work
• May 8: Race radio?, Ridiculous ruling, What a farce!, CAS ruling on Petacchi, Basso gets a contract, Hamilton's integrity? Dude!, French riders had to give up their jerseys?,
• May 1: Race radio?, Basso gets a contract, Advise needed for Alpe D'Huez, LeMond vs. Armstrong, Bottles, Scars of war, ProTour in Russia! China? Ahem... America?, LeMond's 1989 TdF, Mayo?, Stuart O'Grady Team CSC Cervélo R3 Paris, Have any French riders had to give up their jerseys?
• April 25: Just shut up and ride, ProTour in Russia! China? Ahem...America?, Bottles, LeMond's 1989 TdF, New format for the Vuelta? , Scars of war, LeMond v. Armstrong, No tour for Astana #1, Rock Racing rip off #1, Advise needed for Alpe D'Huez, Stuart O'Grady Team CSC Cervélo R3 Paris
• April 18: Just shut up and ride, USA Track Cycling, Paris-Roubaix, Little Indy 500 - Women's Race Article, Stuart O'Grady Team CSC Cervélo R3 Paris-Roubaix, What's happening to road tubeless?, Thanks Cyclingnews, Bottles, Just think?, Tour of Georgia - Lame, Colavita, No tour for Astana, Clever tactics by McQuaid expose ASO, Suggestions for the little bullies, Rock Racing rip off, LeMond Vs. Trek
• April 10: Suggestions for the little bullies, Pat McQuaid, Clever tactics by McQuaid expose ASO, Just think, Trek vs. LeMond, Rock Racing rip off, Homepage overhaul, Some praise, USA track cycling, Team car order just the first gamble, Come on Greg & Lance, LeMond vs. Armstrong
• April 3: Pat McQuaid, April fools, Carbon Wrap-It System, Sylvain Chavanel, Astana vs. Rabobank vs. Slipstream Chipotle, Cadel Evans, Clever tactics by McQuaid expose ASO, Colavita, Let VDB ride?, Race radios, Rock Racing rip off
• March 27: Riccardo's manner of professionalism, Rock Racing rip off, Chavanel's Paris - Nice shoes, Cadel Evans, Cadel Evans at Paris - Nice, Let VDB ride?, ASO vs. Astana, ASO vs. UCI help me with my memory, Astana vs. Rabobank vs. Slipstream Chipotle, Police kill cyclists,"PRO"cycling teams
• March 20:"Pro"Cycling Teams, AIGCP does have a choice, ASO vs UCI help me with my memory, ASO vs. Astana, Chavanel's Paris - Nice shoes, Kevin van Impe's doping control, Cadel Evans at Paris - Nice, Hamilton, Operacion Puerto, and the ToCA, Paris - Nice: What it could have been, Police kill cyclists, The Astana affair, UCI hypocrisy
• March 13:"Pro"Cycling Teams, ASO vs. Astana, ASO vs. UCI, ASOh well, UCI'll see you later, Cycling fans must let their voices be heard, Denounce ASO's actions for what they are, Hamilton, Operacion Puerto, and the ToCA, Knife between the ribs?, Paris Nice, Police kill cyclists, British track sprinters' helmets?, Rock Racing and Michael Ball, The Astana affair, The real ASO problem, Tour and ASO, UCI - very bad poker players, UCI hypocrisy.
• March 6: Zirbel and the"ride of his life", British track sprinters' helmets, Hamilton, Operacion Puerto and the ToCA, Three grand tours or five monuments?, Rock Racing and Michael Ball, Pro cycling is dead, Paris - Nice, Knife between the ribs?, Doping and the Tour, Astana, the ASO and the UCI, ASO vs. Astana, The Astana affair, ASO vs. UCI vs. AIGCP vs. the non existent riders, The real ASO problem, Denounce ASO's actions for what they are, Sponsorship code of ethics, Where are the other ProTour teams?, ProTour vs. ASO
• February 28: ASO vs. Astana, Passion and sponsorship, Crash or crash through, Pro cycling is dead, Why we must have the ProTour, Rock Racing and Michael Ball, ToC and Rock, The hidden message behind banning Astana, ASO is killing cycling, ASO could be right, The real ASO problem, UCI - draw a line in the sand, ASO has lost the plot, The Astana affair, Astana and ASO/RCS, the Astana decision, Operacion Puerto, Old rider classification
• February 15: Doping controls, Tour of California moving up!, Why I love the Tour of California, Operation Puerto, Astana rejected by ASO, Boycott ASO, ASO - stop the madness, Tour de France, ASO is wrong to exclude Astana, Astana, ASO, and the NFL, Tour de Farce, The hidden message behind banning Astana, Astana exclusion, ASO is killing cycling, Astana out of Tour, ASO has lost the plot
• February 8: Lampre doping controls, Grand Tour Monopoly?, Giro selections, Slipstream Qatar, Allan Davis, Sheldon Brown, Dick Pound to head CAS?, Find out who's leaking lab results, Rock racing
• February 1: UCI vs. Grand Tour war, Best wishes to Anna, The incident, Rock racing & Starbucks, Rock racing Rocks, Rock racing, Landis in NUE, Lance is the best of all time, Sinkewitz logic, Astana for 08 Tour?
• January 25: Rock racing, Time to draw a line in the sand, ASO vs. UCI ProTour, UCI vs. Grand Tour war spills over to European federations, Readers' poll stage races 2007, Cyclist of the year, Team High Road's black kit, Lance is the best of all time, Landis in NUE, Toyota-United abusing USAC team rules?
• January 18: Cadel Evans - returns to training, Cyclist of the Year, DOPING - time to draw a line in the sand, Hincapie in T-Mobile kit, Lance is the best of all time, Readers poll: best stage races 2007, Rock racing, Speaking about Lance, Toyota-United abusing USAC team rules?
• January 11: Armstrong on Landis, Cadel Evans - returns to training, Hincapie in T-Mobile kit, Ivan Basso - why no tough questions?, Reader Poll, Rock & burn racing, Speaking about Lance, Sydor's consistency, The 'Bruyneel philosophy', Toyota-United abusing USAC team rules?
• January 5: Great day for cycling, Sydor's consistency, Hincapie in T-Mobile kit, CA awards misses national series, Thank you, Ivan Basso - why no tough questions?, Cadel Evans - returns to training, Helmets belong on heads, Armstrong on Landis, Will there be a Tour of Missouri?, Roberto Heras, Speaking about Lance, Mayo's B Sample

Letters 2007

• December 27: CA awards misses national series, Armstrong on Landis, Vinokourov's sentence, Vinokourov, Cadel Evans - returns to training, Mayo's B sample to get B test
• December 14: Sydor's consistency, George Hincapie, Helmet straps must be cinched a bit too tight, Will there soon be a sample"C"test?, ProTour, Vino's joke of a suspension, Mafioso McQuaid, Obee and Health Net, Mayo's B sample to get B test, Campagnolo offers its own 'red' shifter, T-Mobile's withdrawal a blow to Jaksche
• December 6: Tschüss T-Mobile, Anquetil, Mayo's B sample to get B test, T-Mobile drop out, Obee and Health Net, Stefano Zanini
• November 30: Anquetil,Mayo's B sample to get B test, Stefano Zanini, Rider's passport, Betting, Jonathan Page, Wake up!!, T-Mobile drop out, Bike design originality
• November 23: Remembering Jacques Anquetil, Done looking back, Mayo's B sample to get B test, Cross crank, Rider's passport, Blood passports and humanity, Fothen's comments on Bettini, Nathan O'Neill , Sinkewitz, Rasmussen blood values, Sponsorship strangeness, Dick Pound better understood, Bike design originality,
• November 16: Nathan O'Neill, Rasmussen blood values, The Crocodile Trophy, Sinkewitz, Drug testing procedures, Rider's passport, The drug issue, Bike design originality , Sponsorship strangeness, Selfishness will ruin cycling
• November 9: The Crocodile Trophy, A little bit of bias here?, Rider's passport, Kasheckin, Positive tests, Drug testing procedures, Marco Pinotti: Engineering a new path, Bike design originality
• November 2: What does this mean?, Le Tour 08, Mayo's B sample, Bike design originality, Trimble, UCI says Mayo case not closed, Drug testing procedures ... and false positives, Kashechkin: controls violate human rights, Drug testing procedures, Mayo, UCI, Kashechkin, et al... Great, now it's coming from both ends, Positive tests, Why even bother with B samples then?, Mayo's positive EPO test, Falling barriers
• October 26: Rider passports & Cadel Evans, Drug testing procedures ... and false positives, Iban Mayo's false positive, Iban Mayo and Landis, Armstrong on Landis, Mayo's B sample, UCI turns Mayo's case into a debaucle, Great...now they hand pick the results, No justice for Mayo, UCI says Mayo case not closed, Bike design originality, 2006 Tour de France, A bad week for cycling, A fitting end to the season
• October 19: 2006 Grand Tour trifecta!, 2006 Tour de France, A fitting end to the season, Armstrong on Landis, Bike design originality, doping in cycling, Doping numbers, Paris-Tours testing mishap, UCI and the lack of testing!, Vino's other Tour stage win, The absolute best?
• October 12: Armstrong on Landis, Bike design originality, Cycling drama, Doping is unfair; but so is discrimination, It’s not doping that's..., Landis case - everyone's a loser, Length and cost of the Landis case, R & R, The Landis decision, Tour of America
• October 5: Cycle drama, It's not doping that's"killing"the sport, Why is VAM a benchmark, Tour of America, The Landis decision, DYNEPO, Worlds, Rock & Republic's CEO Michael Ball, Please explain, Giuseppe Guerini, FICP
• September 28: Tour of America, World champion zany-ness, The Landis decision, ASO v UCI, McQuaid vs ASO vs the riders, Please explain, Why is VAM a benchmark, Giuseppe Guerini, Menchov felt betrayed by Rasmussen, ProTour and Le Tour, Where is the due process
• September 21: Astana's future and Bruyneel, Bruyneel's afterlife, Floyd Landis decision, Why is VAM a benchmark, Lifetime bans, Menchov felt betrayed by Rasmussen, Ungrateful Levi, Spanish cycling, Where is the due process
• September 14: Astana & Bruyneel, Cycling vs. soccer, Cycling will survive, Floyd Landis decision, LeMond's comments, Menchov felt betrayed by Rasmussen, Ungrateful Levi, Why is VAM a benchmark?
• September 7: Cycling vs. soccer, Floyd Landis decision, UCI, ASO, LeMond, et al who cares? Riders, Lawyers in the Landis case, LeMond's comments, Riders taking the fall?, US Postal/Discovery R.I.P.

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