The Mail bag: Of Cowboys and Cannibals

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Editor:
Is Eddy Merckx a protective daddy or a bitter has-been (See “Merckxcritical of Armstrong after Liège)? Either way, why does the cycling community give so much credit to his babblings? In his day he wasgreat. In today’s era he would only be slightly more successful than hisson. He wouldn’t stand a chance at the Tour, and only the rolling classicswould offer him a chance (no big climbs and no pure sprints).

He calls Lance Armstrong arrogant. That goes to show you Merckx’s ownarrogance, to think that he knows all and that we really care what he thinks.Any athlete at the top of his game has to be arrogant – show me one who’snot.Justin Maines
USA

We suspect that an Eddy Merckx “at the top of his game” could stillCannibalize a race or two. – EditorWhat constitutes Lance’s lack of humility?
Editor:
Will someone please explain to me what is curiously being consideredas Lance’s lack of humility? I don’t know what they consider being brash.Lance said that he was in shape, and that he was gunning for the win atLiège-Bastogne-Liège. He came up short. He could have satback until the final climb and attacked then, but then again, he mightnot have gotten away.It is no secret that Lance has one focus, and one focus only. Everyrace he does is in preparation for the Tour. There is nothing wrong withthat, because clearly, his system works.I haven’t heard him say anything negative about the other riders, andif it is considered brash to say that he is in form, and would like towin the race, then perhaps it is only because he is one of the most quotedcyclists in the world. I am certain there were others with similar ambitions,but reporters never asked them.I respect Eddy Merckx as much as anyone else, and I am certainly a hugefan of Lance Armstrong, but this aspect of being less than humble is abit disturbing. If anyone else can explain this, please break it down forme.Matt Gilchrist
Centreville, VA

Merckx has a selective memory
Editor:
I was surprised and dismayed at Eddy Merckx’ recent criticism of LanceArmstrong. Perhaps he misspoke in a moment of disappointment, having tonarrate (he was commenting for a Belgian TV station) as his own son waschased down and dropped, ending his chance for the win. As he knows, that’sbike racing.And who is he to criticize Armstrong or anyone else, for aggressiveriding? No humility? Merckx has selective memory – has he forgotten Armstrong’ssubmission (read: gift) to Pantani on Mont Ventoux?Richey Lancianese
Greenville, SC

Lance should ugly up on ’em
Editor:
Can the pasty brother get a break? If he had a better tan, long blondehair, and were more media-savvy (stick around for your boy who just madehistory; don’t player-hate, congratulate), he would get more love fromEurope. His on- and off-the-bike attitude would be written as “Lance beingLance,” like Mario cherry-picking flat races is “Mario being Mario” andRobbie McEwen threatening to beat people up is “Robbie being Robbie.”I think he should wear a cowboy hat at news conferences, chew some Copenhagen,import a Chevy 2500 HD, use phrases like, “Mess with the bull and you getthe horns,” and hang out with Hank Jr, Dr. Dre, and 50 Cent. Don’t justbe “the American” – be the “ugly American.”

Antonio Diaz
Seaside, CA

Who cares if he’s arrogant? He rides like mad
Editor:
I just have to smile at Eddy Merckx calling Lance arrogant. I seriouslydoubt that Eddy got the nickname “The Cannibal” because he was so shy andretiring when he raced.Is Lance arrogant? Probably. Do I care? Nope. What his personality isisn’t important – he’s a bike racer, and that’s his job, and he does itvery well. I’m not likely to ever meet him or invite him to dinner – ifI do, and he’s a pain in the rear, then I won’t ever invite him to dinneragain. It’s that simple.The guy rides like a madman, and when he wins he wins big – I reallythink that we haven’t any right to ask more from him than that.Jean Brubeck

Embarrassed for Eddy
Editor:
As a longtime reader of the letters column I have never felt the urgeto write, mainly due to someone else summing up how I feel before I canget down to it.But, when I looked at the report about Eddy Merckx and the attack onLance I felt very embarrassed – for Eddy. This “greatest of all time” couldn’thave called Lance on the phone, since they are supposedly “close,” anddiscuss this like a man?Being angry about the attack on his son when caught on a break is crap- hell, I’ve watched enough Phil and Paul to know when you catch a breakawayyou attack again, immediately. This is becoming too soap-opera-ish forthis fan. Lance can do nothing right – when was the last time he has hadany help in a break? Everybody in the group is keying on him!After Chris Horner and now Eddy and all the trash coming out of thepeloton I’m afraid to turn on the computer. What’s next – Greg LeMond trash-talkingLance? Oh, wait a minute. . . .David Homansky
Marietta, GA

Where was the disrespect?
Editor:
Eddy Merckx’s protective gesture toward his son is understandable,but where was the disrespect shown Axel? Where is it written that Lancemust lower the competitive bar? Axel was welcome to catch Lance’s wheel,just unable to answer the challenge.Let us not forget who slowed down a race so that Jan Ullrich could removethe sticks from his britches and catch back on. That was sportsmanlikeconduct.It’s a great time for American racers in Europe. I choose to enjoy thesights of Tyler Hamilton taking one of the great classics, and Lance ridingat 110 percent while being a unique personality. Considering the personaldistractions he’s had this season, it’s amazing to see him at the classicsat all, to say nothing of riding so well.It’s time we cut this guy some slack. I don’t think he’s going to losethe Tour just to get people to like him.

David Peter
New York City

Tyler is the real story here
Editor:
The real story should be how well Tyler Hamilton and his team performedrather than Eddy vs. Armstrong. Eddy, quit your whining. Your son got outriddenby many that day. It also showed that Lance is human, we all can attest.And lastly, congrats to Tyler. You were the real hero that day! Good luckat the Giro!John Bevans
Longmont, CO

Yeah, what he said
Editor:
While it is unfortunate that we are bogged down with Lance storiesyet again (ad nauseam), I am not going to dwell on his or Eddy’s hubris,because that is taking away from the real story here – that Tyler freakin’’Hamilton won Liège-Bastogne-Liège!
Let us just sit back and enjoy a great day for U.S. cycling, and behappy for Tyler, who unlike other American cyclists, is always a classact and one worthy of emulation.Allez, Tyler, on to the TDF!!Tim McDonald

Prima donnas foul the sport
Editor:
My, my, my. Amongst all the great news of the week for American cyclingfans, we are again steeped in a black cloud, one that, to me, tarnishesthe sport nearly as much as drugs: The incessant whining and complainingabout “how others are not doing what’s right on the bike.” There are moreprima donnas in our sport than the NBA, Baseball and four LA nightclubscombined.
Guys like Chris Horner, and Eddy Merckx, and John Lieswyn last year(he was cherry-picking some race in Iowa, and complaining because the Cat2′s were in his way) are the truly foul of our sport. What’s worse is thatthose attitudes trickle down to the amateur ranks. I saw a guy absolutelyblow his top at a local crit because he was outsprinted for a prime bya couple of guys who had been wheelsucking. To me, that’s called good solidtactics. It was the top-blower’s fault for letting them sit back therein the first place.To me, a good sport, or sportsman, is one who follows the written rules(no drugs, no hanging on the back of your car to pace back to the group),guys who fetch water bottles without complaining, guys who chase a breakbecause they know they must, not because some guy from another team wantsthem to, and guys who know the traditions of the sport.And I mean good traditions, like the handshake in hockey after a playoffseries, or giving your water bottle or race number to some kid in the crowdbecause he thinks “you’re pretty cool,” not the other traditions, likechasing down a potentially threatening break because some crybaby in theleader’s jersey from another team wants you to. If that rider and his teamcan’t hold the lead on their own, they don’t deserve it. This is competition,after all.Stephen J. Schilling
Indianapolis, IN

Horner should get over ’96 slight
Editor:
I think it’s time for Chris Horner to get over it. It is obvious tome that if he was “hands down the best rider in the U.S. after Lance [Armstrong],” he’d have been racing in Europe in the major races or classics since1996. Too bad someone with some class wasn’t the first winner of the Tourde Georgia rather than someone who lives in the past and has to whine abouthis past wrongs instead of focusing on his current good fortune.Margaret Hulme

Horner laid claim to being the No. 2 U.S. racer behind Armstrongin 1996 in a recent newspaper article describing his ongoing Tour de Revenge,stemming from his non-selection to that year’s U.S. Olympic team. -EditorTour needs a regime change
Editor:
The latest French-created “doping scandal” really bothers me (See“Galdeano gets Frenchsuspension”). Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano had apparently been givenpermission to use salbutamol by the UCI. Shouldn’t this be the final word?I can see situations where each country’s doping agency would be neededto step in and take action when the UCI doesn’t, but that should be ona purely domestic level. The French shouldn’t be allowed to pick and choosewho races in their country just for what seems like the purpose of tiltingthe odds in the favor of their own racers.The Tour de France is the biggest race in the sport of cycling, oneof the few that gets live coverage here in America. It’s time for one oftwo things to happen. Either the French need to start treating the Tourlike the event it is, and not as their own personal playground, or theUCI needs to take control of the race.This event is far too big to let the French mess it up. It’s time fora change.Andy Kruse
Minneapolis

We want to see the racing, OLN
Editor,
I’d like to say that Scott Effner’s opinion about OLN’s coverage shouldbe spray-painted on the outside of OLN’s studio. I like highlights on theevening news. When it comes to coverage, I want to see the race. I don’tcare if it’s two weeks later and edited. I want to see the race.You can’t watch team tactics and see how a race unfolded with highlights.All you get that way is the beginning, middle, and if we’re lucky, a coolsprint finish. What Scott and I want to see is the race.So, dear editor, is there any way you can help us change OLN’s mind?Fred Boettcher
Chattanooga, TN

You can, if you read the program guide
Editor:
Scott Effner obviously needs an intravenous quad-espresso so he canwake up and smell the year-old-milk pile of slop that is his brain.Dude, while you’re watching syndicated episodes of “Friends” on thelocal affiliates, the rest of us who are capable of reading a program guideare watching the race of the week on OLN at 7 p.m. EST. Amstel, Flanders,and L-B-L are all pretty important races, in my opinion. You do know howto work the channel guide on that satellite remote, don’t you?The race of the week, combined with the highlight show, is actuallymore race coverage than what was offered last season.However, I will have to take this opportunity to agree that the raceof the week needs to be returned to the prime-time slot of 8 p.m. EST.The crocodile hunter that has slithered into the 8 p.m. slot has me ratherannoyed.Tim Beberniss

All cycling fans have heard over the last four years is how incredibleLance Armstrong is at winning virtually every race he enters. The factis, if you only listen to people like Bob Roll, Chris Carmichael, and theOLN TV commentators, there are no other talented cyclists in our modernera. You’d think that he walked on water.

I do not doubt that Lance will win another Tour, and other races, butmaybe he can show a little humility, and set aside his ego. I think thatMerckx has some wisdom that Lance and others should consider. Merckx isstill considered by most knowledgeable cycling people as the greatest cyclistever.

I am sure that Merckx’s opinion will come under attack from the pro-Lancefans – you know, those people who bleed U.S. Postal blue, and ride theirTreks all weekend long. Will Eddy’s opinion be viewed as unpatriotic, andresult in a boycott of Belgium? Will Belgian chocolates will becalled “freedom chocolates” from now on? Just remember the old saying:”Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, but you don’t have to likeit.” And that includes mine.

Steve Duffy
Chandler, AZ

Armstrong did his best
Editor:
Armstrong rode as hard as he could and finished as high in the standingsas possible. Did Eddy ever do more than that?

Dave Kerlin
Sacramento, CA

Lance didn’t need another sandbagger
Editor:
Tell the great and powerful Oz (Merckx) to go eat a waffle.

Don’t get on Armstrong’s case, just cause Axle can’t stay away in abreak. Lance did what any other racer would have done in the same situation.He already had two sandbaggers not working with him, why add one more?And as far as Lance not being as strong as he thinks, well, I guess Lancetotally shaking up the race with those two attacks was a sign of weakness.

I think Merckx is just a little bit pissed that his son is not as greatas he would like him to be. Well, I’m sorry, we can’t all have kids likeLance.

Jose Bocanegra
Texas

Eddy needs to take a look at himself
Editor:
Merckx is behaving like a protective father (a fine thing if you’vegot little kids, pathetic if you’ve got a Tour de France-caliber athletefor a son) and not in appreciation of fierce competition.
Merckx may say anything he wishes about Armstrong’s hubris, but hecertainly is blind to his own. Eddy must be American, eh?

John Emerson

Lance may be his own worst enemy
Editor:
Lance has always been known as the brash Texan, but that attitude seemedto wane with his near-death experience with cancer. It takes a unique individualto overcome such illness and rebound back to become the most dominatingfigure in modern cycling.

But it pains me to read Eddy Merckxs’ commentary on Lance at Liège-Bastogne-Liègeand his apparent disrespect of Axel Merckx. In a sport steeped in traditionand unwritten rules of engagement, Lance has seemingly reverted back tohis former self on the humility scale. And while believing in oneself iscritical for success in the sport of bike racing, overconfidence and underestimatingyour opponents, as Merckx suggests, can be dangerous.

So beware, Lance. Because if there’s one person who can defeat you inthe Tour this year, it’s yourself.

Paul Knapik

A big head is not a solely American trait
Editor:
Comments like this are garbage. Eddy only reveals his own human capacityfor arrogance, stereotyping and bullish behavior here. Brandishing tribalinsults knows no national boundaries, and no one is immune, despite whattheir own selfish and contrite perspectives on their own superiority mightbe.

Implying that Lance, simply because he is American, knows not humility,self-doubt or self-criticism, is no different than saying someone who isFrench is a so-and-so or a Belgian is a this-and-that.
Maybe Lance does have too big a head. If so, it has nothing to do withhis being an American, it has everything to do with his being human.

Andrew Gilbert

Arrogant Armstrong deserved criticism
Editor:
It is so refreshing to read criticism of Armstrong and the U.S. Postalteam, and this has to be considered legitimate coming from the man knownas the greatest cyclist ever.

I think Armstrong’s arrogance and lack of humility, as well as his lackof overall participation as a leader in the peloton, is becoming increasinglydestructive. Combined with Bruyneel’s continued insistence that every racethey ride is “perfect,” even when obvious tactical errors have played out,it is no wonder the team, and Armstrong, are not well liked on the Europeancircuit. They must remember it is a European sport, played out on Europeanroads, with a history that far exceeds anything we’re exposed to here inthe U.S.

Somehow I’ve gotten the sense that Armstrong isn’t really all that differenton the bike than when he started – brash, arrogant and inconsiderate. It’san old routine that isn’t doing cycling any good.

Peter Easton

Regarding Tyler and L-B-L: Can’t wait for the Tour
Editor:
I have always been a big fan of Tyler Hamilton’s, for his great capabilitiesas a bike racer and for his super personality, as he is always quick tothank all of his teammates for their hard work. Tyler is also one of thetoughest, if not the toughest, riders in the pro peloton, as he managesto endure what sometimes seems like endless suffering, without ever givingup.

This spring Tyler continues to reveal more of his exceptional racingtalents, as his campaign has been marked with very strong showings. Finally,this past weekend he exposed his full potential and determination by outsmartingand outriding the highest-caliber racers on one of the toughest circuitsin the world. Things can only go up for him, as his confidence in his abilitieshas surely risen over the past couple months, with a big boost coming thispast weekend with a brilliant victory in Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

I greatly anticipate the perfomance he will put on for the world thisyear during the Tour de France. Keep showing the world what a truly magnificentrider you are, Tyler!

Andrew Davidson

More firsts coming for Tyler
Editor:
Wow! As I write this I’m covered in goosebumps. I just finished readingyour story on Tyler. It certainly could not have happened to a nicer guy.In an age of prima donnas (and obnoxious, egotistical, spoiled – okay,that’s enough, I won’t get on my soap box), hearing about the triumph ofa decent, hard-working, honest, and all-round nice guy like Tyler is enoughto believe again in the possibility of athletes being role models.

Always the trusted lieutenant, Tyler has been one of my most admiredathletes, not just among cyclists, but all athletes. Tyler embodies thetrue meaning of the word “teammate,” always acknowledging the efforts ofhis teammates and all the sacrifices they make to help him.

Tyler, this is your moment, you earned it, you deserve it, and the worldknows you’ve worked your ass off for it. Enjoy the reward of all the milesin the snow, rain, heat, and mountains you conquered. This is your moment!Congratulations; it could not have happened to a more deserving guy.

Thank you, and may you be the first crossing the finish line many timesagain.

Gustavo Muzzolon
Virginia Beach, VA

A nice guy can finish first
Editor:
Go Tyler! What a great and amazing win! And it could not have beendone by a better guy.

I would just like to tell Tyler congratulations, and that I appreciatethe humility that comes across in his columns for VeloNews and in his interviewsas much as I do his incredible bike-racing skill. Your win at Liègemade my Sunday!

Mike Chavez
Los Angeles

Rodriguez rooked by overzealous official
Editor:
Over the past few days I have checked in with the Tour de Georgia tofind out what was happening with America’s new big stage race. For decadesnow I have witnessed the Tour of Americas, Coors Classic, Tour du Pontand others come and go. For reasons unknown Freddy Rodriguez came to theStates to participate in his home country and be fully unappreciated byAmerican fans who can’t understand the strides he has made in the Europeanworld of racing. And in true American stage-race fashion he got snookeredby an overzealous official and a “time bonus” stage race.

How ironic as I checked in with the live coverage at L-B-L that TylerHamilton would become the first American to win the world’s oldest one-dayclassic. A fantastic ride by the “other American” as he and his team playedoff Lance Armstrong, rode a seemingly tactically brilliant race and thenbacked it up with a gutsy move using the intuition that makes one risklosing in order to gain the prize at the line.

Yet back in America, Fred Rodgriguez must have been ill as he heardthe news from Liege. Freddy, you are a true champion, for you have donewhat only a few over the years have had the courage to do. Instead of ridingfor domestic pro teams racing around in circles, you have battled a foreignland, mastered a second language, and overcome odds to do it right in Europe.Kudos to you and all like you who have chosen that path. You are championsin your own right and those of us who follow the sport appreciate youroutstanding efforts.

Matthew Gibble

OLN stinks on Thursday nights
Editor:
Say it ain’t so, Bob Roll! Tell me this isn’t the shape of things tocome. The new Thursday-night “highlights,” non-coverage of races on OLN,are designed for people with attention spans of 30 seconds or less. I’mhoping that this is just a temporary lapse of judgment on the part of theprogramming department and that OLN will return to full coverage of importantraces on Thursday nights, like last year. As it stands, the one-eyed brainsucker won’t be shining into my living room on Thursday nights. Heck, Imight even cancel my satellite subscription, as bike racing is the onlything on TV that I want to watch.

Keep Bob Roll, drop what’s-his-bucket, add Phil and Paul, and returnto a full-coverage format on Thursday nights. “Highlights” with an ignore-anuswho knows nothing about bike racing is about as appealing as road-killpossum festering in the bike lane on a hot summer day. It stinks.

Scott Effner

Aw, come on, Scott, don’t sugar-coat it – tell OLN what you reallythink. – Editor

Horner should quit his whining
Editor:
Chris Horner is one of the best U.S.-based racers now and should beacting like it. Instead he whines and cries when the other teams do notdo exactly what he wants them to do. Chase this break, but do not chasethat break? Hey, Chris, it is a race, a competitive sporting event, andthey too are trying to win.

Power to the Navigators team for finally taking it to Saturn in 2003,even if only for a day or two. Obviously, as today’s stage played out Saturnhad a lot more to lose if the break Horner complained about stayed away.That means Saturn has to chase. Get Horner a few recent Tour videos andyou will see the very professional U.S. Postal team often chasing or assistingwhen they do not have the lead. You never hear them whining about how theother teams did not chase. Stop crying and act like a pro.

Also, why bring this up in the media? That really shows a lack of class.Take it up with the riders and settle it that way – this is not a politicalcampaign. Horner could learn a lot about professionalism from a classyguy like Vogels.

Meanwhile, keep Bryan Jew’s column coming, and make sure he is wellsupplied with Ding Dongs!

CJ Gauss
Boulder, CO

Bryan’s diet is currently restricted, C.J. Since returning from Georgia,he has been placed in an emergency detox program for barbecue addicts.- Editor

Thanks for the Squinzi story
Editor:
I loved the story on Mapei’s history in the sport in the last printedition. Dr. Squinzi gave a lot over the years, and I’m sorry to see theteam gone. Is it just me or does Dr. Squinzi bear an uncanny resemblanceto Mike Myers of “Austin Powers” fame?

Michael Schlitzer
Sterling, VA

Maybe, but we’d much rather see another Mapei than another “AustinPowers” stinker. – Editor

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