The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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An open letter to USADA
Dear USADA:
It's me again.It has been two years and I want to extend my congratulations in yourongoing fight against drug use in our sport. You win. I am more confusedthen ever.But the dopers? You continue to open the door wider and wider for them.(see "USADAdeal could mean Jeanson's return to cycling")The confusion of what constitutes a doping infraction and its penaltiesin the USA continues to astound me. So let me try to understand.Genevieve Jeanson should of served two years for her first infringementbut instead gets a warning and a fine. Then her second positive result,which is supposed to be an automatic lifetime suspension, is now settledfor a mere two year sentence? This settlement is quite a good one.Ms. Jeanson is allowed to state that she did not take EPO specificallybut still admits her guilt as is written in line 8 of your contract withMs. Jeanson:

Ms. Jeansonacknowledges that the positive test report from the UCLA Laboratory isa violation of the applicable rules, including the USADA Protocol and theUCI Anti-Doping Rules, both of which have adopted the WADA Code, and acceptsthe following:A two-year periodof ineligibility under Article 10 of the WADA Code beginning on July 25,2005;

Let's see if I got this right: Ms. Jeanson admits her guilt of something(just not EPO) and retracts her appeal to AAA/CAS allowing her to "getout of jail" by July 2007 instead of serving a life sentence, and you getout of more lengthy and costly legal battles, so it's a win-win situationfor both USADA and Ms. Jeanson.But what about the rest of us? What about cycling's future? Whatmessage do you send to young athletes when you continue to handle dopinginfractions according to your own laws, and allow settlements with theguilty to satisfy your own needs?

I am more confused and disheartened then ever. I have now lost faithin the entire system. How does this look to the future of our sport?Or did you fail to see that such a settlement has implications that reachfurther then those simply between USADA and Ms. Jeanson?

Truly depressed,
Anne Samplonius
Canadian Pro CyclistGuilty! Guilty! Guilty!
Dear Ed.,
What a crock! Why would any athlete who says that she had not doped takea suspension? That tells me she's a DOPE, just like Mark McGwire NOT sayingthat he didn’t use steroids. Enough said...
E.A. Aneas
Nashville TennesseeAnd what about that other time that...
Dear VeloNews,
Your article failed to remind readers how Jeanson was pulled from theCanadian team at the World Championship for high hematocrit. I rememberher teammates seething and glad to be rid of her, as though they knew whatthe wonder kid was up to. Her expulsion cost Canada a shot at a medal,yet no one came to defense. Nobody here wants her kind of taintedglory. That's why she has an American license, not a Canadian one.America can keep her.
Liam Doherty
Burlington, Ontario, Canada

Of course you're right, Liam. We will make note of it as well. - Editor

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The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.