Letters to Cyclingnews - January 17, 2006

Basso: seeing double

Last year Basso proved he was capable of winning the Giro and the Tour this year. The tougher question though is should he try to win both?

Peaking for two grand tours is a recipe for disaster for reasons such as reduced performance or even long term damage to physical health. It isn't your mental focus or your muscular system, but the adrenal system that needs the rest. If you overtax your adrenal glands from pushing to the maximum your levels of insulin, cortisol, adrenaline, and hormones will all falter. This causes tiredness, depression, fat gain or muscle loss, sleeplessness, and very slow body repair. Your body sooner or later needs rest with a firm focus on nutrition.

Racing in a grand tour requires lots of simple calories. Digestion is compromised. Your body is working so hard at producing watts that it falls behind in the rebuilding aspect of health. It will try to start repairing on even the first rest day, which leads racers into that tired weird feeling the next race day. The body is demanding more rest. If an athlete ignores that for too long or too often, well you have seen others fail miserably in races where they had hoped for great results. It is a huge risk for an athlete and for the coach that doesn't control his star's enthusiasm.

I guess we will have to wait until July to get the answer.

Timothy Shame, USA
Saturday, January 7, 2006

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Aussie nationals

Am I missing something here? Graham Fredericks stated that rightful nationals winner William Walker "is never going to get a chance to wear [the jersey] - it's simply going to be two categories of racing. He will be wearing a national champion's jersey and so will an elite rider." Walker is a professional with the prestigious Rabobank squad, at the age of 20 no less. Van Hout is, for all intents and purposes, ex-professional, having lost his contract with Colombia-Selle Italia this year.

If Fredericks wants to hand the jersey to someone who did not win the race and will not be able to display his prize in international events, then he clearly does not have the right interests in mind.

Jeffrey Jones

Morgan Hill, CA
Sunday, January 15, 2006

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Australian championships

I have always thought that in any type of race the first person over the line was the winner. The Men's Road Race at the Australian Open Road Championship seems to prove me wrong. Apparently third place is worth more than first.

On Saturday William Walker beat all comers to win the Australian Open Road Championships. William didn't beat only riders under 23 - he beat everybody and convincingly too.

Wes Sulzberger and Russell Van Hout rode strongly for second and third places respectively. The awarding of the championship jerseys as they currently stand is nonsensical. Given that William beat all riders of all ages means that he is the National Champion - with no age limit qualification necessary.

Second place getter Sulzberger (a teenager) is therefore the Under 23 age category champion. At present he wears no national jersey for his valiant efforts. Russell Van Hout is a commendable third place podium finisher. To have Russell in the senior national championship jersey is unfair on the men who finished ahead of him. It also makes the administration of the championship look ridiculously bureaucratic.

The current situation seems to be an excellent example of natural justice denied.

Michael Davis

Adelaide
Monday, January 16, 2006

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Russell Mockridge

Today some mysterious processes brought to my consciousness the name of Russell Mockridge. There is no earthly reason that I can think of for that to happen. But, once it surfaced, there was a reason for me to feed the name into Google and acquaint myself with the story of the man’s life and death.

In the tribute to R.M. posted on the internet by Trevor Wykes I read that Russell was killed by a bus in 1958. By that time I wasn’t driving buses any longer, having enlisted in the Royal Australian Survey Corps in May 1957; but for about four years prior to that career change I was driving trams and later trolley buses for the Hobart Public Transport.

One day – the date has long ago escaped me – I rested over at the end of the line in the suburb of Risdon waiting for the scheduled departure time to return to the city. When the time arrived I moved the trolleybus out of the bay and got ready to turn left at the next corner, which was only some 20 or 30 metres ahead. Instead of turning the corner my bus, luckily empty, came to a jarring halt as I jumped on the brake. A cyclist moving at a breakneck speed came from the direction into which I was about to move my clumsy vehicle. The bespectacled, behelmeted rider had missed by the proverbial two inches being killed by a Hobart trolleybus.

It would appear that the man was destined to be killed by a bus and my lightning speed reaction just gave him two more years in this world. As for the unfortunate Victorian bus driver who didn’t manage to avoid the tragedy in 1958, I would be the first person to plead for him to be absolved of any guilt. Risk taking is a vital part of the human condition and, inevitably, sometimes we lose.

Milan Lorman,

Clontarf, Qld.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006

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PCA suing Dick Pound

As the father of a quality cyclist whose name and photo have appeared on Cyclingnews.com more than once in the past, I do not find it difficult to understand why the PCA would like to do to the head of WADA (or some other part of the head's anatomy) the reverse of what his name says. Mr. Pound has taken a highly public position that makes the sport and many of its seeming champs instead look more like chumps or chimps.

As an attorney with more than 25 years' experience in civil litigation, however, I do not mind adding

a) The threat of such litigation doesn't pass this amateur rider's taste test (looks an awful lot like trying to use a mouthpiece to pound Dick into silence) and
b) While it may temporarily enrich some lawyers and salve some egos, it would seem to hold little promise of either shedding light where light is needed or bringing a darn good sport into better repute.

Kent G. Washburn

Santa Cruz, Ca.
Thursday, January 12, 2006

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USA cycling

I saw the piece last week about one of the US female cyclocrossers asking for donations to go the worlds because USA Cycling does not provide any support. How lame is that?

Do other countries treat their National Team riders the same way? Let's see, airfare might run $500-$1000, they could surely find some host families, riders could, gasp, pay for their food. How is it that USA Cycling sanctioned events all across the country are charging $20-$50 per person (just for the lower categories, pros pay more) and they can't scrape together a couple thousand to send the National Team members to the Worlds? Where does all the sponsor money go? Why not put a title sponsor on the Team jersey in exchange for funds?

I am always amazed at how regional or local mountain bike events manage to give you a t shirt, provide prizes for every category and age group, and still give you free food in many cases, yet USA Cycling road events give you nothing for your $45 dollars except a 7am start time. Maybe USA Cycling is learning too much from their neighbors, the USOC.

Steve F.

Pasadena, CA
Thursday, January 12, 2006

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World champion kit

Dear Cyclingnews:

My apologies in advance for writing on a seemingly ridiculous subject, but enough is enough!

Looking at the picture of Tom Boonen in his new World Champion kit finally stirred me to sit and write something about the trend in cycling...which I guess has been going on for more than a decade now...of completely changing the team kit when you win a jersey. Boonen is, in my opinion, the best cyclist in the world and I guess can choose to wear whatever he wants. But give me a break! How many rainbows does one REALLY need on a jersey and shorts? And white shorts should be banned altogether! I am surprised that sponsors allow these guys to wear such garish uniforms which usually do not even feature the sponsors' names anymore (or hide them completely - check out Rasmussen's train-wreck of an outfit from last year's tour - what team was he on anyways?)

I expected the bizarre rainbow striped mess from guys like Cipo. But I thought that perhaps a more level-headed northern European like Boonen would want to calm it down a bit...but I guess I was wrong. Lance Armstrong was a great rider and had enough sense to know that you didn't need yellow shorts to match your yellow jersey. He looked good and was classic about it, unlike the rest of these modern day fashion disasters.

Stephan H. Andranian,

Costa Mesa, CA

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The future

Hi Guys,

In the last 24 hours I had a sad confirmation of what lies ahead for cycling in Australia. Oblivion.

On the same day that we messed up our national elite championship road race (not the riders the organisers/rule makers) I went to see a fairly 'worker-day' event for the NBL. (Brisbane Bullets vs NZ Breakers). So after making cycling look like a joke again (I ask you how many variations can we find on this rubbish?) I saw a basketball game of a moderate standard in good facilities. It was prompt, entertaining and good value for money. This sport will flourish.

At the moment cycling is enjoying new interest from the public but that will only be fleeting if we do not take the bull by the horns. Coffee shop rides will continue as the domestic scene withers on diet of masters membership. The coffee shop set will happily watch the tour on TV.

We cannot continue to stuff up events and ignore junior riders and see anything other than skeleton participation five years from now. We have some good younger riders now but the pool is very, very shallow.
Some suggestions;

1. An accessible indoor velodrome in every major city. To be used and promoted. (By accessible I mean affordable to use and easy for the public to visit.)

2. Associations should work to get the above, find road circuits and sponsors. If they refuse, sack them. They are elected. Stop running state associations like small clubs.

3. Help find promoters and help them when you find them.

4. Define the junior road and track seasons around school holidays and independent of the senior timing -i.e. the juniors could have a regular track season that starts in November every year. It could conclude with State Champs in early January and the nationals could come on or about the end of summer holidays. Stop conducting the sport as if we are unaware of the stresses on parents and the increasing demands of schools.

Of course I am going to see people around now who will bring up the tired old "Why don't you do it?" routine. Like many of us I have a job that uses a lot of time but I will try and go to AGMs and vote. I will continue to contribute ideas. I will continue to work on races when I can. I will be polite.

Most of all I will stop pretending everything is going well. Just because we have Cycling Central on TV now does not mean we have it made. Some people are doing great work but it is not a coordinated effort. I hope the pot is stirred.

John Caskey
Sunday, January 15, 2006

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Some observations on Oz

I've just returned from a few weeks in Oz visiting the folks - here are a few observations of things Oztraylian.

(1) There are some very unfriendly (stuck up is, I think, the correct term) riders in Sydney or at least in Sutherland (maybe the riots got to you?). I was riding in/near the Royal National Park a bit. Most people were prepared to return a wave, but some people take themselves waaaaaaay too seriously. Cheer up - you ain't riding the Tour fellas. If you need to add a little joy to your life look at some of the pictures from last year's Paris-Nice and smile at what we weirdos in the northern half of the globe occasionally have to put up with. Feel the warm inner glow that comes from knowing that where you come from neoprene overshoes are a fetish item rather than an essential (and oft worn) piece of cycling apparel. Contrast this with Down South WA where the small numbers of riders were universally friendly. Maybe it's because there are less of them, although there were more this year than last - I hope the growth in numbers continues.

(2) Speaking of down south WA; what a great place for a ride. I reckon the wine industry and local councils should put on a one day classic in/around Dunsborough/Margaret River after the JCTDU. For riders it'd be all heavy roads, usually into a headwind with short, sharp climbs - i.e., Flanders without the cold/rain/snow/muck (although there are plenty of 'roos). As an added benefit for Euro-based pros, it's a shorter flight home from WA than the east coast. Mind you, the Oz wine industry is in a bit of a pickle right now, so sponsoring sporting events may not be top of their agenda.

(3) With all due respect to Russell Van Hout and acknowledging that the rules are what they are, I reckon Willie Walker has a right to feel hard done by.

Brendan Moylan

London, UK
Monday, January 16, 2006

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Recent letters pages

Letters 2005

• January 6: The Tour hypocrisy, Pat McQuaid, McQuaid, Bart Wellens, Urine testing, Dope so you can
• January 3: That damn Lance, Bart Wellens, Cyclists in South Australia, EGO Mania, King Pound, Urine testing for rEPO, The Tour hypocrisy, Dope so you can, Give McQuaid a chance, Elimination Tour de France
• December 23: McQuaid and the UCI, Cyclists in South Australia, Bart Wellens, That Damn Lance, Patrice Clerc Interview, Don't accuse every top athlete, Dope so you can, Sanctions for doping - episode 99, Allan Butler tribute
• December 16: An embarrassment of riches, The chickens have come home to roost, McQuaid and the UCI, UCI vs Grand Tour organisers, At least they have something in common, Back to the seventies, Basso at Giro 2006, Cycling is best at what it does, Dope so you can, Cycling one dimensional, Don't accuse every top athlete, Heras and drugs, Where are all of Heras' supporters?, Dick Pound, Chasing an inevitable high, SF Grand Prix
• December 9: Basso at Giro 2006, Heras EPO test procedure, The Heras case, Where are all of Heras' supporters?, Heras and drugs, Do you have to ask why?, Dope so you can, Global doping, The burden of proof, Chasing an inevitable high, EPO, Colorado State Patrol, SFGP - Bring it back!
• December 2: Heras EPO test procedure, Heras - three times lucky, The Heras case, Another profile in disappointment, SFGP - Bring it back!, San Francisco Grand Prix, San Francisco GP, Tyler Hamilton, Chasing an inevitable high, Circumstantial evidence, The burden of proof, Global Doping, Graeme Obree, Moron or marketing genius, Exciting again
• November 25: San Francisco GP, San Fran Grand Prix, San Fran GP, San Francisco city supervisor responds, A tale of two cities, Tyler Hamilton - UCI leaks, Wire in the blood part II, Tyler Hamilton, Hamilton wait time, Heras - three times lucky?, What is the UCI doing?, Exciting again, Le Tour will live on without Armstrong, Moron or marketing genius, A modest proposal, Weekend club racing world championships
• November 18: Heras - three times lucky?, What is the UCI doing?, Exciting again, 2006 Tour de France, Positive urine EPO tests, Le Tour will live on without Armstrong, LeBlanc's Tour snub of Armstrong, Tour of Southland, Schlimmer response, Exercise-induced asthma
• November 11: LeBlanc's Tour snub of Armstrong, Exciting again, Le Tour will live on without Armstrong, Armstrong, the TdF, etc, The 2006 Tour de France and Lance, Lance, Le Tour and Ethics, Armstrong snub at Tour presentation, Pro wrestling and cycling, Swimming and Cycling, What TdF?, Fair justice, Another doping letter, Where has common sense gone?, Technology in cycling, Schlimmer
• November 4: LeBlanc's Tour snub of Armstrong, The 2006 Tour de France and Lance, Le Tour de malcontent, Tour de France 2006, What TdF?, Le Tour wounded, Gossip ruins cycling, EPO, Exercise-induced asthma, Dick Pound and soccer, Tour of US, Tour of California, Swimming and Cycling
• October 28: Le Tour de Malcontent, LeBlanc's Tour snub of Armstrong, Caution needed, TdF 2006, Has cycling become a honky tonk sport?, Tristan Hoffman, UN effort to fight doping in sport, UCI ProTour, Cam Jennings, Exercise-induced asthma, Chris Sheppard is a class act, Why?, Crocodile Trophy - worlds' toughest race?
• October 14: Infallible doping tests?, Get on with your life, Doping. What else?, Pound versus Armstrong, Hamilton, etc, L'Equipe forgot - or not, John Lieswyn, Eddy Merckx
• October 7: John Lieswyn, Bravo, Lieswyn, 1999 Tour de France urine samples, Allan Butler, Tyler Hamilton, Doping versus biomechanical enhancements, Doping control, McQuaid's image, Comment on Chris Horner at Zuri Metzgete, Scientific proof, Thank goodness Moreno lost, What has happened to American Cycling?, Pound versus Armstrong, Hamilton, etc, French bias
• September 30: Petacchi and McEwen's reactions, Ale-Jet, Ale-Jet blasts his critics..., Petacchi's class, Petacchi, Bravo, Lieswyn, French bias, Tom Danielson, What has happened to American Cycling?, Quote of the year, At the heart of the matter, Lance's EPO tests, Doping control, On Pound and the like, Pound Ill informed, Verbruggen is wrong, Doping and apparel
• September 23: A quick thanks, Australian worlds team, Go Mick!, Infighting, Pound Ill informed, WADA mess, Heras and the Giro, Verbruggen is wrong, Chris Sheppard busted for EPO, Explaining increases in performance, Quote of the year, Vuelta rest day observations
• September 16: Vuelta rest day observations, Australian worlds team, Explaining the increases in performance, Debate settled, doping lives on, Samuel Sanchez, Scientific proof, The perfect crime, Another topic please, CYCLINGnews.com, Doping, Illegal motivation, Illegal motivation - another possibility, Lance and the Tour de France, Drug use, Alternate Universe, WADA, Chris Sheppard busted for EPO, Just Do It
• September 9: The debate rages, Bad for cycling, Lance and the Tour de France, EPO Testing and Haematocrit, Doping, Illegal motivation, Lance the Man, Armstrong and doping, Question for Dick Pound..., Land of the Free, home of the Brave, Lance, I have a better idea, Where are the results?, Armstrong's Tour comeback, Don't make that mistake, Lance, Response to the test
• September 2: Lance Armstrong, all-American boy, Doping, Claude Droussent lies, L'Equipe credibility, Lance versus Jan, Jan versus Lance, Cold fusion and Lance, The perfect crime, EPO and the Wink Wink Standard, Germany owed four yellow jerseys?, Lance, cycling and cancer, Lance issues, The whole Lance doping issue, Neither defense nor attack, The test, Land of the Free, home of the Brave, Armstong couldn't come clean, Summarising the Lance situation, Lance's tests, Keep an open mind, Lance and doping, Check results before you wreck yourself, Seeing is believing, L'Equipe and ASO, and Lance, Lance and EPO, Aussie perspective on the upcoming worlds, A rave rather than a rant
• August 26: Lance and LeBlanc, Lance versus France, Can of worms story, The Test, Benoit Salmon wins the 1999 Tour, The perfect crime, Armstrong tests positive, L'Equipe and ASO, Lance rubbish, Lance and the French yellow press, Armstrong, EPO and WADA, Lance Downgrading Armstrong victories, Lance doping garbage, Lance versus Jan, Doping, Six stages to win the 99 tour, EPO test under scrutiny, Lance irony, Lance as a spokesman, Cyclists and politicians, Verbruggen's campaign to elect his successor, John Lieswyn, Can of worms, Americans in Paris
• August 19: Ned Overend, Guidi positive, What is going on at Phonak?, Ullrich's riding style, How about credibility from both sides?, Lieswyn's gesture
• August 12: Pro Tour 2006, Credibility from both sides?, Zabel leaves T-Mobile, Chris Horner, Ullrich's riding style, Well done Wayne!, Armstrong and class, Possible correlations
• August 5: Zabel leaves T-Mobile, Thanks from a survivor, Bicycle safety, Message for Chris Horner, Perspective, Discovery in ninth, Tech, Armstrong and class, The King of July!, Heras through rose colored glasses, Possible correlations
• July 29: Perspective, France and Lance's Legacy, Armstrong and class, Best Wishes to Louise, Levi's Diary, Heras through rose colored glasses, The King of July, Here we go again!, Treat Lance like the others, Tech, Lance Armstrong's time trial equation, Life begins at 30
• July 22: McEwen - villain to superhero, Underdogs and overdogs at the Tour, Big George, George Hincape, Hincapie's stage win, Cadel's Tour memory, What the fans would love to see, Is Godefroot really NOT the man?, A true classic, Phonak's poor sportsmanship, Phonak double standards, My new hero, Discovery Channel tactics, Lance Infomercial?, Treat Lance like the others, TdF sprint finishes, Leaky Gas?, Little black box
• July 15: The best seat in the house, Joseba Beloki, Message for Chris Horner, Treat Lance like the others, Lance Infomercial?, McEwen defense, Rail lines in the TdF, Ruse Discovered?, Discovery's unanimous breakdown, IS Jan really the man?, Cycling socks, Patrick Lefevre quit your whining, Armstrong and class, Leaky Gas?, TdF sprint finishes, Who is in charge of the UCI?, Tires and slippery roads, Response to the Vowels of Cycling, Little black box
• July 8: McEwen defends himself, Tires and slippery roads, Random test on Lance Armstrong, French Government dope controls, The Pro Tour and Grand Tours, Tour de France's early finish?, Here we go again!, Thank you, Ed Kriege, Lance Infomercial?, No, the other Merckx!, The Vowels of Cycling, Armstrong's pre-Tour communiqués, Armstrong and class
• July 1: No, the other Merckx!, Armstrong's pre-Tour communiqués, The Vowels of Cycling, Figures of merit - TdF tipping, Lance Infomercial?, Daily Terror, Sydney article, Why Michael Rogers will be awesome with T-Mobile, I love it!, MTB news, Twins
• June 24: Sydney article, Hit and run on cyclists - Australia's new blood sport?, Another fatal hit and run on Australian cyclists, How can Ullrich win the Tour?, Drop Verbruggen, The second American, When the Tour heads up, Droppin' the Kilo!, Kilo or no go, What is Michael Rogers thinking?, Rogers to T-Mobile, For the love of god don't do it Mick!, The first yellow jersey, Horner Impressive, Leave T-Mobile/Fassa Bortolo, renew your career!, Horner's stage win at the Tour de Suisse, Bobby Julich, Daily Terror, Hell on Wheels review
• June 17: Droppin' the Kilo!, Killing the kilo and 500, The kilo, Axing the Kilo?, The track Time Trials, The first yellow jersey, Armstrong and Class, The year of the comeback, Horner's stage win at the Tour de Suisse
• June 10: The year of the comeback, An open letter to Cadel Evans, How Ullrich can win the Tour, USPRO/Liberty, Lance, the Tour and the Giro, Lance and the Tour, Show us your discards Godefroot!, Armstrong and Class, Ivan's training ride, Giro comments
• June 3: Giro comments, Giro excitement vs Tour blah, Ivan Basso, Ivan's training ride, Discovering the future, Jose Rujano, Savoldelli vs Simoni, How Ullrich can win the Tour, Eddy Merckx Interview, Johan Bruyneel, Show us your discards Godefroot!, Improving Pro Tour Team Rankings, Lance and the Tour, Armstrong and class
• May 27: Giro excitement vs Tour blah, Great Giro!, Double or nothing..., Colle delle Finestre and a Cipo farewell, Joseba Beloki, Ivan's training ride, Hell on Wheels, Matt Wittig, How Ullrich can win the Tour, UCI fines, Armstrong and class, Eddy Merckx Interview, The disappointment of Viatcheslav Ekimov, You have let us down Paolo
• May 20: Colle delle Finestre tactics, Rogues, It just keeps happening, Davis Phinney, Joseba Beloki, Australia - number one, You have let us down Paolo, Bettini/Cooke, What's up with pro cyclists these days?, Cipo, Cipo, Cipo, A question about team names, The disappointment of Viatcheslav Ekimov, Go Eki!
• May 13: Hit and run, Bettini vs Cooke, Bettini's Illegal sprint, You have let us down Paolo, Giro, Bettini/Cooke, Cookie's crumble, Bjarne's right: There's only one Jens Voigt!, Jens Voigt and the blind, South Australians protest against hit-and-run death, It just keeps happening, Liberty Seguros, The disappointment of Viatcheslav Ekimov, Go Eki!, Australia - number one, Irresistible in July, UCI weight rule
• May 6: South Australians protest against hit-and-run death, Tyler Hamilton's case, Hamilton and the facts The USADA decision on Tyler Hamilton, Tyler Hamilton, Tyler, Testing and the Virenque Comparison, How do dopers live with themselves?, General view on doping, Hamilton guilty regardless of the facts, Hamilton verdict, Tyler is good going uphill, Hamilton interview, Klöden comments, Tyler H, Simoni, Grazie Mario, Sheryl Crow, or should we say...Yoko Ono
• April 29: South Australians protest against hit-and-run death, Tyler Hamilton's case, Hamilton and the facts The USADA decision on Tyler Hamilton, Tyler Hamilton, Tyler, Testing and the Virenque Comparison, How do dopers live with themselves?, General view on doping, Hamilton guilty regardless of the facts, Hamilton verdict, Tyler is good going uphill, Hamilton interview, Klöden comments, Tyler H, Simoni, Grazie Mario, Sheryl Crow, or should we say...Yoko Ono
• April 22: Lance Armstrong's retirement, W is for Witchhunt, Tyler's mishandling defense, Not for real, is it?, Bad Science, Blood testing issues, Hamilton - finally a decision, Regarding the Tyler Hamilton decision, Tyler Hamilton, Satisfying Verdict for Hamilton Case, How do dopers live with themselves?, Hamilton's case, Tyler Hamilton's case, Hamilton, Hamilton verdict and a call for outside expertise, Tyler Hamilton saga..., Tour de France preview...2006!, Klöden comments, Tour de France Training, The New Dynamic Duo, Sheryl Crow, or should we say...Yoko Ono, Random Musings
• April 15: Glenn Wilkinson, USADA and Hamilton, Bergman; so sad, ProTour leader's jersey, That's a Jersey?, Too many chiefs?, Track World Championships, What do you think?
• April 8: The New Dynamic Duo, Boonen's Hairdo, Viral infections and antibiotics, George Hincapie, What do you think?, Track World Championships, VDB?, A little bit more about blood doping, Blood testing issues
• April 1: Well done Ale-jet, Eyes of tigers..., Viral infections and antibiotics, Let's talk about cycling…, What's worth talking about in cycling?, First Ride of the season, The New Dynamic Duo, Blood testing issues, Sydney Thousand, UCI Pro Tour Grand Theft, not Grand Tour
• March 18: The Forgotten Hero!, Way to go Bobby, Bobby J, Lance has lost the ‘Eye of the tiger’, Blood testing issues and Hamilton, With all Due Respect, All this Lance Talk..., Is Lance getting soft?
• March 11: Blood testing issues and Hamilton, Cycling on TV, In Defence of UCI president Hein Verbruggen, Defending the Pro Tour?, Is Lance getting soft?, Lance has lost the "eye of the tiger"
• March 4: In Defence of the Pro-Tour, Grand Tours back down...for now, Armstrong and Simeoni,Help - what’s on the TV?, Cycling on TV, Lance Defends His Title!, Hamilton movie role downplayed, Blood testing issues and Hamilton, I really don't know when it happened
• February 25: Lance Defends His Title!, Build it and tear it down?, Build, dismantle and donate!, Lance's Hour Record attempt, I really don't know when it happened, Can't get enough!, Dream on
• February 18: Build it and tear it down?, Remember Marco, One Reason I Love Cycling, The ongoing Hour Record Saga, Lance’s Hour Record attempt, Can't get enough!
• February 11: One Reason I Love Cycling, Francisco Cuevas, F-One - Come down to earth Lance!, Armstrong and the Hour, Can't get enough!, Greatest of all time
• February 4: F-One - Come down to earth Lance!, Armstrong and the Hour, Armstrong and Simeoni, Can't get enough!, Help, Greatest of all time Eddy is King, but who is second best?
• January 28: "I am the greatest of all time", Armstrong and the Hour Record, F-One - Come down to earth Lance!, Lance Drug Probe, Armstrong and Simeoni, Can’t get enough!, Help, NBC's 2004 RAAM Coverage, Doping, Crash distance from 1km to 3km, Eddy is King, but who is second best?
• January 21: Professional Cyclists, Der Kaiser's Goals, Jan Ullrich's problem = Lance, Rider of the Year, Crash distance from 1km to 3km, Help, Lance vs. Eddy
• January 14: Der Kaiser's goals, Help, Foreign stage races, Lance vs. Eddy, Tour '05, Rider of the Year, Best bikes for heavy riders, Quick Step helmets
• January 7: Death of Dmitri Neliubin, Der Kaiser’s goals, Rider of the Year, Best bikes for heavy riders, Who's Greater? Come on now!, Virenque "most charismatic"?, Downhilling, Downhill time trial, Trendy cyclists, No flat tyres, Spring classics trip advice, Bettini's trainer
• January 3: Spring classics trip advice, Big Bear ends downhilling, Armstrong and Simeoni, Holding teams accountable, Downhill time trial, Trendy cyclists, Bettini's trainer, No flat tyres

Letters 2004

• December 24 letters - Why are cyclists so trendy?, Business and cycling, Big Bear ends downhilling, Off-bike weight gain, No flat tires, Armstrong and Simeoni
• December 17 letters - Business and cycling, Tom versus Axel , Big Bear ends downhilling, Shane Perkins, Spring classics trip advice, Tyler Hamilton, Phonak and the UCI, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Mark Webber interview, Armstrong and Simeoni, Injured and missing it: an update, Clyde Sefton
• December 10 letters - Why are cyclists so trendy?, Big Bear ends downhilling, Floyd's choices?, Merckx, fit and trim, Pound must go, Spring classics trip advice, Tyler Hamilton, Phonak and the UCI, Punishment: Vandenbroucke vs Hamilton, Prosthetic hip, Armstrong and Simeoni, Dave Fuentes, Homeopathy, Jeremy Yates, TDF coverage for Australia, Weight limits and maintenance, Mark Webber interview
• December 3 letters - Domestiques vs Lieutenants, Tyler Hamilton, Phonak and the UCI, Dave Fuentes, Santa vs Hairy Guy, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Mark French and homeopathy, Shane Perkins, Jeremy Yates, Weight limits and maintenance, UCI regulations, Armstrong and Simeoni, Prosthetic hip
• November 26 letters - Mark French and homeopathy, Two big guns in one team, Tyler Hamilton case, Bartoli's retirement, Dave Fuentes, Shane Perkins, Merckx and Armstrong, Training like Lance, Lance Armstrong, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Phonak gets what it deserves, Armstrong and Simeoni, Bike weight, Spouseless riders, Mary McConneloug, Adam Craig, Mark Webber interview, Santa vs Hairy Guy
• November 19 letters - Tyler Hamilton case, Phonak gets what it deserves, Are you there Mr Coates?, Bike Weight, Merckx and Maertens make up, Heart troubles, Where to find cycling spouses, Mark Webber interview, Lance Armstrong, Where's Greg?, What ever happened to..., Why are cyclists so trendy?, Armstrong and Simeoni, l'Etape du Tour registration, Still Laughing
• November 12 letters - Why Armstrong will ride the 2005 Tour, Scott Sunderland, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Armstrong and Simeoni, Where to find cycling spouses, Lance on Italian selection, Heart troubles, l'Etape du Tour registration, Tour 2005 team time trial, What ever happened to..., Love and a yellow bike
• November 5 letters - Love and a yellow bike, Tour 2005, Where to find cycling spouses, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Lance on Italian selection, Armstrong and Simeoni, Tour of Southland, Construction technique for veloway, Heart troubles, l'Etape du Tour registration, Rahsaan Bahati
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