Mailbag: Annoying AToC fans, rethinking Lance, and more

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AToC fans
Dear Editor,

I am very much stoked about how the 2009 ATOC turned out. Great race, bad ass teams and tons of people!

But … what was up with some of those “fans” lining our California roads? Living in Europe now, I’ve had the opportunity to attend quite a few top tier races. In that time, I have seen some strange things but never have I watched a race and cringed so much from the actions of the people on the side of the road.

While it’s great to see that sort of support in an American race, these mask-clad morons impersonation of the orange blooded Basques or the die hard Tifosi was hardly up to par.

When you see an Euskaltel fan running along side Samuel Sanchez on the upper reaches of the Tourmalet there is something almost poetic, dare I say passionate about it. These fans are running with their heroes out of a sign of respect and an attempt to motivate. Sure, there are those times they get in the way, but it was nothing like we saw this year in California.

Don’t get me wrong, the 2 million wonderful fans greatly out numbered the 150 idiots: a bunch of “look at me, I’m on TV freaks” who have no idea why they should be running alongside this dude with searing lungs.

Jason McCartney’s near miss on the first climb in stage 8 not withstanding, I’m just happy we avoided major disaster. Watching the climb up Palomar my mind kept picturing a Sumo sized hip check into the final podium. Sure I wanted DZ to win, but not in that way. No, our wig wearing Idiosi probably caught Didi Senft on Versus highlights a couple years ago and thought their behavior was normal conduct.

Of course in our unique American way we were able to turn it into something less romantic and more individually focused (probably marketable too) and now a whole generation of horned helmet wearing dolts has been born. Great!
Dan Flood,
Bann, Germany

A proposal to deal with the runners
Editor,

Seeing the crowds at the Tour of California was great. It gives us hope that bicycle racing in America is still on the rise. It gives validity to the sport that many of us love.

It also brings to light a growing problem in the world of cycling, no I am not talking about doping, I am talking about a problem that is far more reaching and one that is potentially harmful to our beloved sport and favorite riders. I am talking about the “runners,” those morons that run beside the riders and try to steal the show.

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

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

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

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

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

Kudos to AToC organizers
Editors,

Having just returned from the Amgen Tour of California, I’d like to commend all those involved in putting on a truly world-class stage race. Not since the 1986 Coors Classic have I had the opportunity to watch such a stellar field of riders mix it up.

Granted, the weather on the early stages was down right nasty, but any event of this magnitude comes with problems we can’t control. The riders, team personnel, sponsors, fans, race staff, and law enforcement, all contributed to make my trip there worthwhile. I’m looking forward to 2010.
Jim Kozak
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Lance, Lance …
Editor,

“Lance, Lance, underpants. Rode his bike in the Tour de France.”

That’s what I taught my kids to chant, whenever the Tour TV broadcast strayed from covering the race, to covering Lance. The chant got old real fast.

Each year, I dreaded how Lance-centric the coverage would be, and was never surprised with a refreshing balance. Joseba Boloki was on the podium his first three Tours, but his existence was scarcely noted, till he crashed, dramatically, in front of Lance. Then the coverage was all
about Lance’s off-road adventure, not about an amazing contender who may have just lost his career.

I was relieved to have Lance retire. He was not to blame for the skewed coverage, but I did blame him. Once gone, I started, finally, to appreciate his accomplishments.

Now that he’s back, I must admit a twinge of excitement, a second chance for me to be less critical of him, and possibly (though hard to imagine) to actually cheer for him.

Keep the Lance articles coming, I’ll read them, or not. Unlike with TV coverage I have a choice.
Mike Johnson,
Cincinnati, Ohio

Dave Z., ever thought about an alarm?
Editor,

Reading about everything stolen from Dave Zabriskie’s home made me feeling sick and eventually angry. I had been burglarized almost 30 years ago and I still remember the feeling.

To lose everything that Zabriskie had must be a real kick in the gut. Aside from the sheer financial value of everything, some of those items are irreplaceable. What gets me angry is not the loss of material goods, but the fact that it took a lot of work by a talented individual to earn what he had.

While he was busting his butt at the Tour of California, some scumbags were helping themselves to the fruits of his labor. The only hope is that, as with Armstrong’s time trial bike, there will be enough publicity about this to help the police catch whoever did it.

But, Dave, what were you thinking? Don’t you have an alarm system in the house? I don’t have nearly the possessions that you do, but my six bikes and CD collection alone warrant having an alarm system in my home. And nobody was watching your house for the ten days that you were gone? Tough way to learn a lesson and I hope you get it all back.
Brian Phillips,
Citrus Heights, California

Likes the Explainer
Dear Charles Pelkey and Friends

I would like you to know how much many of us enjoy The Explainer feature, especially the very thoughtful way you prepare it.

For example, when you explained Liquigas’ background, it was great how you went that extra mile explaining LNG versus LPG which surely made a lot of esoteric types extra happy.
Sal Garcia,
Seattle, Washington

Likes VeloCenter
Editor,

I can’t imagine anything more revealing of your passion for the drama of cycling and the part you play than Neal’s spontaneous celebration at the end of the VeloCenter AToC finale. Nice guys rarely finish first in the races, but they sure seem to dominate your organization. Thanks for your genuine enthusiasm.
Bart Campolo,
Cincinnati, Ohio

FILED UNDER: Amgen Tour of California / Mailbag TAGS: Amgen Tour of California