Letters to Cyclingnews - February 10, 2006

Ullrich and the 2006 Tour #2

I'm in the same quandary as Warren Beckford, but I have a solution.

I'd love to see Jan "the other perennial second" Ullrich win, but I too greatly admire Bjarne Riis' incredible team and Ivan Basso's steady and consistent rise to greatness. But I also adore Vinokourov's panache, Valverde's raw talent, Floyd Landis and Levi Leipheimer's growth. And what about Cadel Evans? And of course, poor George Hincapie, carrying the heavy burden of Lance's mantle? Fabulous and deserving riders all.

My solution? Root for them all, just as long as the race is A RACE! Postal/Discovery was (and still is) an amazingly deep team, but from a fan's perspective, watching the boys in blue ride tempo day after day and keeping a lid on the race never allowed the drama to develop as it might have. Game on - let's have a wild and woolly shootout kind of a Tour, may the best man win, but let it be an edge of the abyss kind of experience.

Tom Martyn

Brattleboro Vermont
Friday, February 3, 2006

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Ullrich and the 2006 Tour #3

I have to admit that Ullrich is my sentimental favorite to win the 2006 tour. Of course he'd better show up in top condition to hold off the likes of Basso and Valverde in the mountains. Some say he's over the hill (no pun intended), but perhaps his living in Armstrong's shadow has encouraged us to assume too much about the man regarded only a few years ago as "the most talented".

In 2000, I don't think many believed Armstrong would punk the likes of Pantani and Ullrich. The fact they were both absent in the 1999 edition helped fuel the "flash-in-the-pan" theory. Ullrich's thoughts as Armstrong disappeared up Hautacam: "I'd better train harder next time".

In 2001, Der Kaiser showed up in top form. Unfortunately for him, Armstrong was just too good. A few hands of poker and one 'look' later, Ullrich was punked again (this time on l'Alpe d'Huez). I believe that at that moment, Ullrich decided Armstrong was unbeatable. After a real glimmer of hope in 2003, the Luz Ardiden incident sealed the deal. I think Der Kaiser's "nipping at his heels" post stage comment about summed it up. That's exactly where he saw himself in relation to Armstrong.

So now, sans Armstrong, Der Kaiser has his chance to shine. I point to the l'Alpe d'Huez ITT in 2004 as evidence that Ullrich can certainly hold his own on the slopes. We know he can crush anyone in a typical ITT. Perhaps this will be his year...

"If his mind is right and his body light, Ullrich will wear yellow into the night." Poésie de fromage? Oui.

Jim Strange

Carson City, Nevada, USA
(Somebody please put my president in prison)
Monday, February 06, 2006

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Too early to call the Tour

I agree it is way early, but I am going with Jan. I am a die hard Jan fan and feel sorry for anyone that finishes in the top 2 of the Tour as many times as he has and takes that kind of beating for it. I think that with the ever oppressive Lance gone, Jan truly knows that this is his Tour to win.

Yes, both Ivan and Jan are riding the Giro, but Jan is not going in trying for the win like Ivan is. I think Ivan will do the double, but not this year. Look for it in ‘07 or ‘08.

Discovery will not take the Tour win, possibly a stage or a top 7 overall, but that is it. Vino is an amazing talent and I appreciate his attacking style, but I don't see him riding a consistent enough Tour to take the overall. Might see some good Basso/Valverde battles in the future, but not this year. And finally, I would love to see Levi get a podium spot. He gets no respect by the American press though he deserves a ton of it. Even Mr. Liggett only mentions him in passing when he is in the lead group of 3 or 4 during the toughest stages of the Tour.

Look for a big German smile high on the podium in July. It's going to be a fun ride.

Keith Gumney

Houston, Texas
Friday, February 03, 2006

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AIS crash verdict

This has been a very sad story to follow. It is clear from everything that I have read that this was an accident and it seems due diligence was done to show that the driver was not using her cell phone. People just need to put themselves in the young driver's shoes to understand that monetary punishment, or suspension of driving privileges are not the real punishment in this case; she too is a victim of her own careless (or inexperienced) driving and she will have a heavy burden to carry with her forever. I feel sorry for all involved and I believe the judicial punishment is just.

David Rabinovic
Tuesday, February 7, 2006

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Punishment for the death of Amy Gillett

Dear Cyclingews,

Reading about the German punishment for Stephanie Magner, age 19, who "was sentenced to a fine of 1440 Euros and eight months disqualification from driving," I am reminded of the maxim that used to be in effect in the state I come from, Idaho. It was, why go to Nevada to divorce your wife and have to pay alimony the rest of your life. Just go to Idaho and shoot her there and be off in five months. One cannot agree more with Amy's father Denis Safe that such a punishment is "pathetic and insulting," essentially no punishment at all.

Scott Phoenix,

Newberg, OR
Tuesday, February 7, 2006

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Women's cycling

The winning female for the AORC over 97.5 km was Kate Bates (NSW), who did it in 2.46.45 (35.08 km/h).

Will Walker's stats: 175.5 km, 4.09.17, average around 43km/h.

Of course, the race dynamics make it difficult to compare the two, different day, different race situation ... but as you'll be aware, the difference between 35 and 43km/h is a lot of watts, and tack on an extra 80km of it for good measure.

AIS funding etc doesn't turn women into men.

Carl Brewer
Monday, February 06, 2006

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Support for Mark French

Went to the Austral Wheelrace 2006 last night (4/02/06) and you'll be pleased to know that the crowd support for French was more than he could have hoped for.

He rode in 4 events, making the final in 3 of them, where he was gallantly beaten each time by his adversary Shane Kelly. It is Shane Kelly and his other mates who have ostracised him in his attempt to get back into the Australian team to train and race, but after watching an underdone French race last night I'm glad that Kelly and his mate Eadie are nearing the end of their much over-rated and somewhat controversial careers.

Watching French make the pace, go all out and throw the challenge out to his much more race hardened opponents it made me feel that Australian cycling has a good future with French and many other young riders waiting for the " dead wood " at the top to move on.

While French and Kelly never acknowledged each other face to face it was pleasing to see French applaud when Kelly was heralded as the winner each time. I suppose as we get older we get old and gnarly, holding onto grudges as a means of justifying attitudes, well Kelly and his AIS cohorts need to get on with life, and I only hope they don't decide to seek an administrative role in Australian cycling after they retire. We need to go forward, not encourage personal agendas...Go Frenchy!

Graham Johnston

Melbourne, Australia
Sunday, February 5, 2006

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Michael Rassmussen

I just had to write after reading a feature on Michael Rassmussen in one of the cycling publications. What a pile of @#%$. In the article he states that he was very confident coming into the final time trial at the tour last year. He says that he was calm and just thinking about going fast. He did not have Lance or Ivan or especially Jan on his mind.

Again I say what a load. He should go back and look at the video of the stage and rethink his comments. He looked like he was about to have a baby. You could tell he was totally psyched out by Ullrich the whole time. He says that he over shot the first curve because he was going too fast. Yeah, he was going so fast that in the end even Lance passed him (two starting positions behind him). So fast that he lost four places on the leaders board and something like seven minutes and change to Ullrich. Jan was devastating to him and he just can't admit it. Great bravado though!

Michael, I hope you enjoyed your time in the sun last year, because this year you will be a marked man and no one is going to let you go in the mountains like they did last year. I will admit that he is a good climber, but he certainly is not an overall contender. I would be surprised if he even makes the top ten this year (he almost didn't last year). After two long time trials Michael, you will probably be so far down the leaders list that it will be hard to spot your name. Put that in your food scale and weigh it!

Good luck to you "Chicken", you are going to need it.

Scott Wilcox

Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Friday, February 03, 2006

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More Kilo and 500m TT argument

Look at the winter Olympics and you will see they added a snowboard race. They have men's double luge (as if fans of double luge demanded it ), and now women's bobsledding. Those that argue that velodromes are rare in many countries and difficult to construct should rethink their argument. A luge/bobsled run is much more difficult to construct and especially to run and maintain, yet these events are being expanded. These are only used 3 months a year in some locations. Velodrome racing has never received the Olympic coverage it deserves, often only showing the last few seconds of racing or just the gold medal run.

Many times they have given only 5 minutes of coverage amid a six-hour coverage window. Many tennis matches were shown in their entirety. I would love to see women's team pursuit added. Perhaps Bodrogi's hour attempt can refuel attention to velodrome racing. Could Zabriski, Ekimov, or even Armstrong have a desire to get on the track? I would love to see someone attempt an hour with no restrictions at all. I am talking about non UCI frames, superman position, balloon shaped front disc wheel, 24 inch size, mega-length aero helmet, even a wedge shaped water tank behind the racer's saddle. I want to see someone set the bar at 60 kph. I don't care if the aero advantage is such that a record can be set with less wattage than Boardman's 56 km record. Moser and others set records with innovation. Let's see what magic can be created. It can only attract more fans and favourable press.

Timothy Shame
Friday, February 3, 2006

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Liberty Seguros at Tour Down Under

I spoke to Aaron Kemps immediately after the stage of the Tour Down Under that ended in Willunga. He was distraught because he had just copped a barrage of abuse from his management for not opting to wait for his team-mate, Luis Sanchez. Alas, his two-way radio had run out of batteries mid-way through the stage and he was riding without knowledge of what the Liberty Seguros-Wurth team director wanted him to do on the day.

Although there was frustration by the management, Aaron never received any instruction and he opted to try and limit his losses in the race for stage honours. Once he realised that the winning move - containing Russell van Hout and Paul Crake - had bolted, the climb was over and so too was Sanchez's challenge to Gerrans. Kemps simply continued through to the finish.

During his time in the lead group, Kemps was not tended to by his team car but his management expected him to know exactly what tactics to adopt.

The answer to your question is quite simple: Kemps didn't receive any instruction until after the race.

Rob Arnold

Publisher - RIDE Cycling Review
Friday, February 3, 2006

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Hour record

Flashback to the 2005 off-season; a seventh July spent decimating anybody and everybody wasn't set in stone. Maybe le Boss would take a season to pad his palmares with some other glorious victories, and then come back with guns firing in TdF 06. Hey, maybe even take a crack at the HOUR RECORD. Well, we all know the story from here and Lance Armstrong did lay the smack down and win a seventh-straight Tour, didn't diversify his palmares, and maybe more importantly, didn't aim at the hour record. He went out on top of his game and is now able to spend time with the family... just as he wanted.

A few things come to mind at this point. Lance Armstrong is the best grand tour rider of all time, but there is a definite reluctance by many to use the term 'best rider ever'. This comes of course as a result of his (winning) approach to the Tour. Train hard and specifically, only come out to race a few times for testing/training, disappear to train a bit more, win the Tour, pack up and head back to Texas.

Then there's the l'Equipe doping allegations. Viewed by many as the sourest of grapes, a dour-faced attempt to tarnish a fantastic sporting legacy, this latest round almost sent Tex back over to seek and destroy one more time. He did not, but you know it would give him no greater pleasure than to prove them wrong.

According to Johan Bruyneel, Lance's legs still have some Tour left in them (two or three) While that may be a stretch, anybody who saw le Tour last year knows that the guy didn't squeak by with an aging body. Also, while no longer a professional cyclist, Lance is still employed by Discovery/Trek/Nike/etc. Those sponsors would no doubt appreciate further exposure via the Armstrong juggernaut.

This all leads me to the point of my banter. /What about /that HOUR RECORD? As I see it, he has a million good reasons to go for it (except for the agony of sitting on the bike pumping out 500 watts for an hour straight). It sure would further his position as 'greatest ever' with the cycling purists out there who lament his lack of other major victories. If you want to show the world you won the hardest sporting event in the world a record number of times sans dope, conquer the hour and have every testing agency on earth there to oversee the controls. Setting it up wouldn't be a problem as Lance's sponsors could turn the event into a real spectacle. With no Tour to worry about, he could train very specifically and be close to Ms. Crow and the kids.

The new ADT Event Centre in L.A. is pretty close to home for training. We could witness some really cool stuff if the hour sees a renaissance. It was already broken last year by Ondrej Sosenka (who?). Now David Millar is giving it some serious thought. How about der Jan? This could be shades of the early 90's when Graeme Obree, Chris Boardman, Miguel Indurain, and Tony Rominger all passed the record around. With Sosenka, Millar, Armstrong, and Ullrich, you've got 'the unknown', 'the TT specialist', 'the grand champ', and ‘almost grand champ' respectively. The similarities are intriguing to say the least. So what do you say Lance?

Nick Smith

Blue Hill, Maine USA
Thursday, February 02, 2006

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Sanctions for doping

Hi,

I agree with Ian on this.

Not sure how I feel about David Millar coming back into the sport. The cycling press have been hyping him up already and he is still a BANNED RIDER! I was a great fan of David, member of his fan club, and I travelled to France and Spain to cheer him on. How did he repay me? By cheating!

There are a few questions which still need answering;

1. Did the team know?
2. If the police hadn't found the empty capsules, would David have come clean?
3. In a recent interview David is quoted as saying that "when I lost the World Championship TT in 2001 by six seconds to Jan Ullrich I was basically clean". What does "basically clean" mean Mr. Millar?
4. Millar also states that he "lost everything" because of this. He lost his house due to the French tax authorities looking into dealings within the Cofidis team. What is all this about? If there were "dodgy" tax dealings within Cofidis then how the hell are they still running a team?
5. In every interview David blames everyone but himself, let’s get one thing straight - he was not forced to take drugs! Millar will be forgiven by the British media, he is news, and news sells! I will not forgive him.

Steve Clarke
Sunday, February 5, 2006

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Recent letters pages

Letters 2006

• February 3: International teams, Liberty Seguros at Tour Down Under, Anti-doping tactics, Ullrich and the 2006 Tour, Too early to call the Tour, Tour of California, Phonak training camp feature, Aussie national champs, More Kilo and 500m TT argument, McQuaid and the UCI, Australian championships, Support for Mark French, Sanctions for doping, Women's cycling, Team strip
• January 24: Future of Spanish cycling, Australian championships, Aussie national champs - a deserved winner, Aussie nationals, World champion kit, Ullrich and the 2006 Tour, With Lance gone, Some observations on Oz, PCA suing Dick Pound, International teams
• January 17: EGO Mania, Basso: seeing double, Aussie nationals, Australian championships, Russell Mockridge, PCA suing Dick Pound, USA cycling, World champion kit, The future, Some observations on Oz
• 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

Letters 2005

• 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
• Letters Index – The complete index to every letters page on cyclingnews.com