• Mailbag

Spinning the news, weighing in on Lance

by VeloNews.com

• August 27, 2009
• Comments Off

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Spin doctors?

Dear VeloNews,
I find it interesting that when there are multiple positive tests at the Tour and other races, the officials declare, “This just proves that the tests are working and the cheats are being caught.”

Now we have a year with no positive tests during the Tour and suddenly “It’s looking like the Tour de France will not have any positive tests for a number of years.” Does this mean that the tests are no longer working or that no one is cheating anymore?

If I’m not mistaken, there were several grand tours in the ‘90s with no positives too.

Ed Merritt
Birmingham, Alabama

Most of it was solo

Velo,
I know this topic is being played to death; however I wanted to add my own thoughts on Armstrong’s win at Leadville.

In particular I want to object to those who feel Lance’s win and subsequent record are not valid, or are in some way diminished because of the use of pacers, crew and sponsor clout.

Did Lance Armstrong not ride the entire 100 mile distance in record time? Also did he not ride most of the distance alone? When Roger Bannister broke the four minute mile barrier he used pacers to achieve that milestone and we don’t think less of him.

I believe the best thing that could happen to mountain biking is if more high profile roadies made their way to U.S. and Canadian events. It would increase spectatorship and revenues in turn would climb as a result. Larger events would follow, which would pay riders better. And lastly the competition would be out of sight!

Rob Blackwell
Kelowna, British Columbia
Canada

That 800lb Gorilla rules

Dear Velo,
Regarding Dave DeRose’s letter about Armstrong at Leadville in the August 21 edition of Mailbag : I, too, have a lot of respect for Dave Weins, but do you actually believe that Weins would have won had Armstrong not brought his domestiques to the race?

Let’s be clear. Armstrong rode solo for 65 miles and won by a half hour. Armstrong won that race on his own. Weins — a great champion — did not have a chance.

There is nothing more heroic in bike racing than the solo breakaway victory. It takes mucho guts to attempt it, and a huge engine loaded with determination to finish it in victory.

You may dislike Armstrong; that’s fine and it’s your right as a fan. It’s part of what makes sports fun. But don’t allow emotion to cloud judgment. What Armstrong did was impressive, especially considering the weather conditions and the fatigue that must be in his 37 year old legs after racing two grand tours this year. His comeback has done much to revive professional bike racing, and he has done more than any athlete for cancer patients around the world.

He deserves credit for his achievements, even from those who root against him.

Paul Dyrwal
San Rafael, California

Give the guy some credit

Editors,
David Wiens is one of the original great guys from the Golden era of mountain biking, yes and Ned also.

You couldn’t ask for better role models on how you treat your fans and competitors. Racing on the road Lance missed growing up in a lower profile sport that allowed people to be themselves, and not have to build up barriers to protect themselves. I can admit to being a big fan of Lance the athlete, but not at all a fan of Lance the personality, until this year.

For him to come back to Leadville, after the Giro and the Tour, says a huge amount about the man. The banter back and forth between he and Levi is what we saw, and continue to see in Mountain Biking, fun. While physically there may have been riders out front pulling the pack along, the biggest boost of all was Lance’s pull for Mountain Biking. He pulled in more fans, media, industry, and future participants for the sport. The sport is inclusive and everyone is welcome to share in the fun.

Hey Alberto, I bet Dave, Lance, and Levi would wait for you on the climbs.

Dwayne Hauck
Calgary, Alberta
Canada

Team tactics have their place

Dear editors,
I, too, didn’t get in the Leadville 100 but was surprised at how Lance and his buddies could bypass the selection process just so they can break the record.

Let’s keep the peloton where it belongs, on the road not the mountain.
Kind Regards,
John Drakopoulos
Denver, Colorado