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Letters to Cyclingnews - April 24, 2003
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. 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.
Recent letters
Women's stage racing
Jan Ullrich
Binda and Cipollini
Tough racing contributes to drug use
Why must cyclists be better
Aussie Champion's Jersey
Banned Substances
Way to go Eki
Bike Shops in Rome
European races
George Hincapie/breathing
Horse in le tour?
Rider weight
Roger Hammond
The Brits are coming
Seeing glucose level
Tour of Thailand 2003
Helmets
Women's stage racing
Hearing about the demise of the HP race and the recent troubles for the Tour Feminin, there appears to be simple solution. Run the women's events in conjunction with some of the men's stage races. It has proven successful for the classics and some US races. Why not for the Tour or the Giro? It must certainly be cheaper than a separate race at a different date since the roads are already closed, the barriers up, the fixed TV cams in place, marketing banners etc., everything including the crowd is there. If we need marshals, we can pull some from the men's race - I'm sure they won't complain about a few less motorbikes (see Cipollini, Millar, Schnider, et al) to run them off at key moments of the race.
Imagine the women racing Alpe d'Huez or the Marmolada on the same day as the men! How fast is Luperini? The fans would surely love it since they usually arrive days in advance. The women could start earlier and run shorter routes like they do for the classics. I don't think we need 20 day races for the women just yet, but 14 would work just fine for the Grand Tours. Maybe we need to bug the UCI about it.
Steve F
Denver CO, USA
Wednesday, April 23 2003
Jan Ullrich
How good is it to see Jan Ullrich winning again? Unlike Pantani who has continuously voiced his opinion about the progress of his own comeback, Jan has quietly gone about his business as a true professional and already there are promising signs. I was skeptical when he signed for Coast and that doubt was solidified in Jan's first two races with regards to payment issues, but the whole time he focused solely on the bike and left other issues alone.
I understand that a 1.2 ranked 200km one day race is not huge, but when we consider that it is only his 3rd race back after 19 months off and that he won it by attacking and riding 53km to a solo win, then it all augurs well for a great season. Jan has stated that this year is a transition year, but I think if he can keep this improvement up, then he can book himself a place on the TDF podium in Paris.
It has been said all too often, but this time I think he has grown up and with a refreshed outlook on life, he is riding with spirit - without prodding from Telekom. Maybe the thought of fatherhood has had a positive effect or maybe it is just his new found energy to race again but I think its wonderful that he wasn't lost to cycling. It's great to see you back Jan, please don't make us wait this long for your next victory!
Tim Lee
Sydney, Australia
Tuesday, April 22 2003
Binda and Cipollini - different but equal
I agree that you can't compare Binda and Cipo because they are different types of cyclists. True Cipollini has never won and will never win a major tour, because he is a sprinter. But I don't agree that sprinters are less value than cyclists who win major tours. They are different but no better or worse! Cipollini never compares himself with Binda, Coppi, Bartali and so on. But as long as it is possible to beat Binda's Giro record it is Cipo's right to aim at that record. That doesn't mean he compares himself with Binda but although he is "just" a sprinter it's an amazing thing that he might soon be soon the most stage-winning athlete of all time at the Giro. Cipollini is maybe the best pure sprinter ever although the different eras are hard to compare. Cipollini will hold his place in cycling history that's for sure. All upcoming sprinters will be compared to him and most won't come close to his successes.
Chris Krueger
Berlin Germany
Friday, April 18 2003
Binda and Cipollini - not comparable
In my (rather unimportant) opinion, Cipollini is in no way comparable to Binda. I realise that different eras produce different talents and that it is virtually impossible to have another Binda, I think someone who only races to win and cracks the shits if he isn't in contention is not worthy of champion status. To me, he has incredible ability on a bike and is perhaps one of the best pure sprinters in recent times, however his tantrums overshadow his prowess on a bike. He throws bottles at race motorbikes, punched an FDJeux guy for stealing Zabel's wheel in Milan San Remo, cracks it with Italian TV as they didn't let his fans see him win (never mind anyone else) and whenever he senses a slip in ratings, decides to sook about retiring or some other lame issue. The sport needs flamboyant characters and he certainly has been good for the sport over the years, but I believe he is a bit too precious for his own good.
Tim Lee
Sydney, Australia
Thursday, April 17 2003
Binda and Cipollini - different eras
Right. Two different eras, not comparable. The champions you mentioned used to ride the Giro, Tour, Vuelta, the classics together, year by year. Now even the great L.A. rides only the Tour, a couple of Classics and then, back home. So the same question about Cipo could be made for a lot of cyclists... Two different eras.
Valerio Marani
Italy
Friday, April 18 2003
Tough racing contributes to drug use
I think that Dougie's premise that riders take performance-enhancing drugs because the races are "too hard" and that by making the races less taxing, drug use will decrease is quite flawed. Yes, races are hard, because everyone is trying to win. Even with an easier race format, riders will still look for an edge to get them on the podium.
Murray Yazer
Halifax, Canada
Thursday, April 17 2003
Why must cyclists be better
Dougie, nice sentiments, but you may have missed the point.
Why do we hold our cyclists to some 'higher' moral or ethical level than we do ourselves? Do you for one second think drug taking is peculiar to cycling alone? What about football, rugby, athletics, baseball? What about you? You'd think nothing of taking a cold medication to help recover from illness, but that remedy will put a cyclist on the banned list because of the drugs it contains. What about going down to the local school and having a good look at the prevalence of drug taking (recreational, no doubt) among a sample of our children. Then pop down to your local watering hole tomorrow night and have a peek at the rest of your contemporaries boozing themselves into a stupor. Is this drugging of any lesser a nature?
Yet we somehow expect our sport to produce heroes who are somehow immune and removed from the foibles of the broader society they come from. Why? Just who the hell do we think we are? Personally, when I see up close the hell those rides put themselves through in search of victory, and (as a cyclist) have some understanding of the pain, suffering and sacrifice required to attain the levels they achieve, I can only respect and admire them as the gladiators they are. You would care little for this - as long as you can proudly proclaim that your 'heroes' are 'clean'. What arrant hypocrisy!
Go and clean up the schools, the street corners, the boardrooms, the soccer fields, other sports and the rest of society before you dare moralise about long races and what is or isn't a farce. Remove the problem - don't treat the symptoms. But until you manage that, have some respect for those cyclists prepared to delve into some kind of personal hell to keep YOU entertained.
Mark Williams
Thursday, April 17 2003
Aussie Champion's Jersey - Stuey's looks good
I've just seen Stuey perform awesomely at the Herne Hill Good Friday International, winning the Derny Race and the Golden Wheel 20km Scratch race. He did all this in his Aussie champs jersey, or more accurately skinsuit. I was fully with the "Robbie's jersey was better" camp until now, because quite frankly the yellow sleeves looked really classy today. More to the point it stood out against the other Aussies there in their national team kit, which is probably why the Federation of Oz decided to have the jersey like that in the first place.
Good on yer Stuey! Lets hope we'll see those yellow sleeves raised in triumph plenty more times this year!
Ben Atkins
Brighton, UK
Friday, April 18 2003
Banned Substances
Does anyone know where I can find a complete list of substances banned by the UCI? I'm writing a paper on performance enhancing drugs in cycling and this would be a great resource.
Caleb Teel
Alaska, USA
Monday, April 21 2003
Try this list from the UCI. - Letters Ed
Way to go Eki
I agree ... It is amazing to see how athletes can shine when allowed to do so by management or when political responsibilities are removed/lessened. Unfortunately, it's a reality of just about every job!
Stathy G. Touloumis
Chicago, IL
Thursday, April 17 2003
Bike Shops in Rome
Have any of you visited any bike shops in Rome? Please send me their names and addresses as I am desperately in need of a new frameset and the only dealers we have here are Giant and Trek. I am looking for a nice Ciocc or Wilier frameset.
Raymond Tiangco
Philippines
Monday, April 21 2003
European races
The World Cup races are listed at the UCI web site.
Non-World Cup races and many other European races have race websites in their native tongue along with an English (UK flag) version mirror site. I've found quite a few races and gran fondos (and other 'non-racing' but nonetheless extremely competitive and timed events) in Italy by searching using the race/event name along with the internet domain of the hosting country (RVV and .be on Google; or Milano San Remo .it, among others).
Thanks for all the great cycling news all the time.
Richard Stewart
Baltimore, MD
Thursday, April 17 2003 (PDT)
George Hincapie/breathing
Andy, I used to be in your shoes. Asthma illnesses galore. I recommend that you cut out all meat, dairy, wheat products, cane sugar. See how you feel then! My breathing now is awesome. My VO2 is 77.5 and my riding/life happiness is improving every year. I'm now racing in Belgium for an amateur team. I haven't eaten any milk or meat products since march 2001, the same time I was last ill. My asthma is all gone and I have ridden just over 50,000km since. I do not use any drugs of any sort; the only supplement I take is a multi b or some panax ginseng now and then.
The best doctors back home could only sell us more drugs, and my entire childhood suffered. I was told I would never be an athlete! I do not drink coffee even when winning the state 24hour champs back home. Don't need it. Or when riding across Australia. In the off season I plan to challenge Perry Stone in the race around Australia; unsupported, averaging 250 a day for 2 months.
Read 'Fit for life' by Harvey Diamond. It is equivalent to a triple PhD in nutrition and will cost $10; if you do what everyone else does, you'll get what every one else gets. Modern medicine just treats symptoms, you have to look at the cause, which is 99.99% of the time diet. Don't believe me then prove me wrong and I'll eat 10 Big Macs. Yuk!
Harley Johnstone
Aalst Belgium
Monday, April 21 2003
Horse in le Tour?
I was watching the fantastic French film 'Amelie' recently and noticed several references to Le Tour. In some video footage of the race, a horse is shown galloping along in front of the peloton an motorcade. can anyone tell me if this actually happened, when, and what was the outcome? Thank you.
Brett Kennedy
Newcastle, Australia
Monday, April 21 2003
Rider weight
Where can I find bios on riders, particularly height and weight? I'm mainly interested in finding stats on Cipo.
Erik DaSilva
Thursday, April 17 2003
Our Riders' sites pages have links to many personal sites that sometimes have this sort of information. - Letters ed
Roger Hammond
Roger Hammond turned pro in 1998,and is now in his sixth year as a pro.
Stephan Esleben
Edinburgh, UK
Saturday, April 19 2003
The Brits are coming
Hey Stephan - you're on my side after all! And while we're at it what about Rachel Heal's fantastic third overall in the Damesronde van Drenthe and Nichole Cooke's two wins, a 2nd and a 3rd in her four races so far?
The Brits are coming! (only joking!)
Chris Whiley
UK
Thursday, April 17 2003
The way Nicole Cooke has been riding lately, I think The Brit has arrived. - Letters Ed
Seeing glucose level
Could this be the next step for cyclists:
Special Contact Lenses Could Allow Diabetics to 'See' Glucose Levels (Scientific American, April 16)
Norman Winn
UK
Thursday, April 17 2003
Tour of Thailand 2003
We are a cycling group based in Singapore made up of primarily Aussies, New Zealanders and Brits. A few of our group are racing in an upcoming "tour of thailand". I have had trouble getting hold of information about the event (such as maps etc) and would like to know if any of your members have a contact.
The race generally follows:
Satge 1 May 1st: Kanchanaburi to Wachira-Longchorn dam
Stage 2 May 2nd: To Srinakarin Dam - Also afternoon prologue
Stage 2 May 3rd: Not sure
Stage 4 May 4th:
Please respond to kerrie_crisp@hotmail.com
Kerrie Crisp
Singapore
Tuesday, April 22 2003
Helmets
There have been several letters discussing my post in the April 10 Letters column. If I may just quickly address them:
Mr. van der Aa said, "This is simply incorrect - the function of a helmet is to reduce the impact forces transmitted from the road/car/tree to the head of the wearer, either by absorbing the energy (into a shell) or by increasing the time taken for the head to stop (Force = change of momentum / time, basic high school physics), by some softer lining crushing or compressing."
This is completely correct but you are arguing that a helmet breaking somehow is a compression. A helmet that is breaking is only compressing in a very limited area and so absorbing very much less energy. That was my point.
Mr. Parker's posting said, "Mr Kunich (Letters - April 10) now wishes to assert that it is in fact the extra *weight* of the helmet on one's head that will drag the head down in a crash, causing it to smack against the pavement and suffer *worse* injury than if there was no helmet at all."
What I said was: "For all we truly know the weight of a helmet and position of a helmet and risk homeostasis might cause more head blows in falling cyclists than the helmet mediates." I think that you can see a difference.
Mr. Rigby wrote, "The helmet probably did not save my life, but had I not been wearing it I probably would have trouble writing this letter."
I think that you misunderstand me. If a helmet is designed in a manner to "save a life" it is necessarily designed to absorb the maximum amount of energy possible. This means that the foam is harder than prudent for the most common sorts of accidents in which a helmet might be of some use. Your accident is a prime example of that. Thankfully you were not seriously injured. Perhaps with a proper study of bicycle accidents, helmets could be designed to be more effective in just your sort of accident. If they are thought of as "life saving" devices they are doomed because the forces present in most fatal accidents are entirely outside the regime of a helmet to ameliorate and so forces the manufacturers to design to the maximum possible energy absorption.
Mr. Darlow stated, "However helmets by themselves do not save lives. That is done through safe riding, paying attention and if you race -- learning how to crash."
In this we are entirely on the same page. I cannot stress too highly that a bicyclist must remain alert at all times. The principle responsibility for avoiding injury should always be the brain inside the head and not a few ounces of foamed plastic on the outside of it.
Tom Kunich
San Leandro, CA
Thursday, April 17 2003
Recent letters pages
- April 17 - Tough racing contributes to drug use, Race motorbikes and finish line photographers, Race safety and Sea Otter, Binda and Cipollini, US Elite Nationals, Leboucher at MTB Paris-Roubaix, Way to go Eki, Roger Hammond, Helmets, What if, TV coverage, European Races, Cyclingnews
- April 10 - Sea Otter Stage 1, Race motorbikes, finish line photographers, Track racing in the USA, US Elite Nationals, Dangerous hills and descents, Brits in Europe, George Hincapie/breathing, Helmets, TV coverage, Ride to work, Tour domination, Marco Pantani's body mods, Aussie Champion's Jersey
- April 3 - USAC selection, What if it happened to you, Aussie Champion's Jersey, Brits in Europe, Dan Fleeman injured in training, George Hincapie, Marco Pantani, Helmets, Milano-San Remo TV ratings fall, Race routes, Ride to work - proving it, Lance Armstrong's Tour domination is good!, Marco Pantani's training, 100 Anni Di Corsa Coverage, 72nd Criterium International
- March 28 - Congrats to Brits in Europe, Seeing Paris Roubaix, Seeing Gent-Wevelgem, Tour accommodation, Tour domination, Helmets, Ride to work, Dan Fleeman injured in training, Rebate for riding, Lance Armstrong, Milano-San Remo TV ratings fall, Track cycling in Russia, What were they on?, Pantani pictures
- March 20 special - your tributes to Garrett Lemire
- Andrei Kivilev - Cyclingnews reader tributes added
- March 20 - Helmets, Hein Verbruggen, Antibiotics, Blue Train Derailed?, Drug amnesty, Indurain and Others, Is this a dumb idea?, Lance Armstrong, Division 3 teams, Old and new heroes, Physiotherapy and Cycling, Pro Racing Venues in the US, Ride to work, Seeing Paris Roubaix, The Real Lance-aholics, Tour domination, Tucson Classic death, What were they on?, Yay Cyclingnews, Erik Weispfennig
- March 13 - Vale Andrei Kivilev, An amnesty on drugs, Boonen and Van Heeswijk, Hein Verbruggen, Old and new heroes, Tour domination, Antibiotics?, Floyd Landis and the wheelchair, Gibi, etc. vs Lance, Indurain and Others, Lance Armstrong in the Vuelta, Manolo Saiz believes the Tour is too big, What were they on?, Car culture, The Armstrongs' separation, Ride to work
- March 6 - Gibi, etc. vs Lance, Bjarne Riis, Ride to work, Lance Armstrong is a year-round racer, Car culture, Re: 'A Lanceaholic writes', Cycling Manager 2, Floyd Llandis, Girl Power, Lance Armstrong and the French, Manolo Saiz believes the Tour is too big, Markel Irizar, Mt. Kinabalu biking, Pro contracts, Sponsorship, The Armstrongs' separation, Tricycle, What if...
- February 27 - Ride to work, A Lanceaholic writes, The Armstrongs' separation, Riis & pedaling, Manolo Saiz believes the Tour is too big, Sponsorship, Car culture, Denis Zanette investigation, Floyd the Enlightened, Gibi vs. Lance, Lance and the French, Santiago Botero, Joe Papp's diary, Frozen Basso, Marco Pantani, Pro contracts, Toques, Tour de France 1984 video wanted, Cycling Manager 2 video game, USPS & Berry Floor
- February 20 - Sponsorship, Bums On Seats, Denis Zanette investigation, Jacob's Creek TDU, Lance Armstrong and the French, Gibi vs. Lance, Cadel Evans, Marco Pantani, Slava Ekimov, Stefano Garzelli, Santiago Botero, The Culture of Cars, Right Guard Xtreme Commercial
- February 13 - Sponsorship, Cadel Evans, Unsolicited Advice for the Pro Peloton, Dave Millar, Gibi vs. Lance, Erik Dekker's knee problems, Jan Ullrich, Jacob's Creek TDU, Money, Moving to and cycling in Glasgow, Share the Road, Right Guard Xtreme Commercial, Tour de Langkawi, Amstel Gold race
- February 6 - Dave Millar, Lance & sponsorship, Lance & number six, Lance Armstrong, Simoni vs. Lance, Cadel Evans, Jan Ullrich, Tour de Langkawi, Jacob's Creek TDU, Share the Road, Right Guard Xtreme Commercial, Colombian female MTBer wanted, Adult Tricycle, Joe Barr, Paul Tracy, Frame materials, Thanks for your TDU coverage
- January 30 - Grand tour slam, Lance Armstrong, Dave Millar, Share the Road, Playing Favourites, Adult Tricycle, CN top 10 - Cipollini - Armstrong, Crank length, Go USA Masters!, Jan Ullrich, Leather hair nets, Paul Tracy, Reader poll: bikes, Stuart O'Grady injury, Looking for a summer job, Training in Cork, Ireland, TDU coverage
- January 27 - Doping sensationalism, All time points, Back Surgery, CN Top 10 - Cipollini over Armstrong?, Lance Armstrong, Best Cyclist of All Time, Ullrich unlikely to join Armstrong at USPS, Cycling & Motorists, again, Adult Tricycle, Dave Millar, Grand Tour slam, Leather hair nets, McEwen number 1? Yep., Paolo Bettini's Sprint, Paul Tracy, Reader poll: bikes, Stuart O'Grady injury - 2001 / 2002 , TDS Telecom Women's Professional Cycling Team, Training in Cork, Ireland
- January 10 - Riding with John Lieswyn, Bust Wüst, Mario Cipollini, CN Top 10 - Cipollini over Armstrong?, Cipo and Pantani, Top Personalities - McEwen number 1?, Top 10 Nordic Moments, Reader poll: bikes, Letter Writer of the Year, Becoming a pro in Europe, Garzelli, Haematocrit Levels, Lance Armstrong, Paul Tracy and winners, American English, Back Surgery, Cyclists and motorists
- January 3 - Reader Poll: Cipo Best Road Rider?, CN Top 10 - Cipollini over Armstrong?, Cyclists and motorists, Back Surgery, Becoming a pro in Europe, Cipo and Pantani, Cipo, Garzelli, Haematocrit levels, Lance Armstrong, Paul Tracy and winners, Women's racing and bikes, The greatest?, VDB is no baby, 'Cross in the USA, Classic Cycling Photos, 'American' English in Cyclingnews
- Letters Index – The complete index to every letters page on cyclingnews.com
