Wiggins’ decision, pursuit’s history and contract obligations

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Wiggo’s jump

Dear Velo,

I think Bradley Wiggins’ move to Sky has to be the worst move in terms of tactics and class. Wiggins basically threatened the one team that not only gave him the only chance to ride a grand tour in his career, but also rode hard for him, and groomed him to be the rider that was able to get fourth at this year’s Tour.

I, for one, hope that he absolutely flounders at Team Sky. I certainly do not buy into this garbage that he wants to ride for his own national team. Man up and fulfill your contract! It isn’t like he was contracted to Garmin for several years! Team Sky is a scavenger, trying to poach any rider they can. This sort of nonsense should not be tolerated by the UCI, National Federations, and other sponsors who invest so much time and money into the sport.

Gerald Gabrang
Los Angeles, California

It’s a question of loyalty

Dear Velo,
I say good riddance, Wiggo.

While Jonathan Vaughters and Garmin should get full credit for taking a shot at a guy who was, until this year, a trackie with talent. Sure Wiggins took advantage of the opportunity and rode a brilliant Tour, but you have to remember who gave him that chance in the first place. He obviously doesn’t have a loyal bone in his body.

Wiggins’ value as a rider sure rose this year and the crew at Sky can’t be blamed for trying to recruit him. My only hope is that the Garmin crew will rise to the occasion and show him that 2009 didn’t happen in isolation. Wiggo’ turned out to be a mouthy, brash and over-confident character, who got help from quiet and hard-working riders like Christian (Vande Velde). In July, I will be cheering – in person! – for Vande Velde, Zabriskie, Farrar and Millar. Go Argyle!

Nancy Davis
Citrus Heights, California

Follow the money?

Velo,
What the hell is the International Olympic Committee thinking? I had hopes that the IOC executive committee would have figured out that the UCI was completely off-target when it trashed the individual pursuit, added the omnium and preserved the keirin when it “reformed” its track program for 2012.

Keirin? Come on. Pursuit has some serious history in the sport that goes back to the origin of track racing. Keirin was basically added when the gambling interests who promote the event in Japan muscled their way into the UCI, getting it added to the world championships and then the Olympics. I was happy to see the event added when it first arrived, but I never imagined that its addition would eventually kill the best individual discipline in the velodrome.

Roger Ingham
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

No uniformity in uniforms

Dear Editor,
Recent photos of Team Radio Shack’s training camp show riders wearing Astana, Saxo Bank, Trek-Livestrong and QuickStep team kits.

Do pro riders get to keep bikes, equipment and team kits when the season is over? And why would they ride around advertising for a team they no longer on, instead of just donning a neutral kit?

Chris Shultz
Sacramento, California

We are in that awkward time of year, Chris, during which riders who are clearly headed to a new team are still contractually bound to ride in their current team colors. Most of the contracts in question expire at year’s end and we’ll see riders training in their new kits after the first of the year. – Editor

Separated at birth?

Dear Webitors,
Am I the only one who thinks that Tim Johnson and Travis Pastrana (Motocross legend) could be twins? Both sponsored by Red Bull.

Food for thought,

Yoni Reinfeld
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

FILED UNDER: Mailbag TAGS: Bradley Wiggins / Mailbag / pursuit