Posted Aug. 15, 2007
The Mailbag is a regular department on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have read in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to webletters@insideinc.com. Please include your full name, hometown and state or nation. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Writers are encouraged to limit their submissions to one letter per month. The letters published here contain the opinions of the submitting authors and should not be viewed as reflecting the opinions, policies or positions of VeloNews.com, VeloNews magazine or our parent company, Inside Communications, Inc.
See yaDear VN,
It's sad to hear the disbanding of Team Discovery. They made the rightdecision to leave on top before they get busted.I hope Team Slipstream-Chipotle is the next American ProTour team.
Jhonny Ringo
San Diego, California
Where is corporate America?Dear VeloNews,
I am shocked and dismayed at the failure of America’s InternationalCorporations to step up and support the New York Yankees of cycling.The drug company that advertises its products being used to treat Lance,the beverage companies that advertise on pee wee baseball fences, automobilecompanies that need a good association, etc. Why have they all walkedaway?Surely it can’t be the fact that cycling is the only sport thathas the courage to take action and clean up its act?! Baseball allowedthe Barry Bonds sham to run its full gamut and he is just the tip of theiceberg… pro football would be shut down if steroid use were publicly stopped.And don’t ignore issues in tennis, golf, soccer and any other professionalsport.I won’t even go into the credibility and integrity of our corporateleaders and public officials. The hypocrisy in this society is disgustingto me!So it has come down, once again, to punishing anyone that tries to dothe right thing. Perhaps Slipstream can carry a new American banner butwhat a shame, what an embarrassment that not one title sponsor can be foundfor this team with its unrivaled record of success.
Russ Richmond
Saint Louis, Missouri
Why mourn?Editors,
Am I the only one who really doesn't care that Discovery Channel isdisbanded?I have read so many letters saying how Team Discovery Channel was themost prolific team in cycling?! Godspeed Discovery?! Are you people oncrack? Disco was the most prolific team in the Tour, yes. In cycling? Noway.The very fact that North America as a whole only considers cycling tobe the Tour de France is sad, and the way that American fans worship themlike gods is stupid and juvenile. I fully agree with the letter writerthat said, "SHUT UP AND RIDE!"The guys from Discovery will find other teams to join, life will goon and we will see some good racing from them still, don't go out and hangyourselves just because a team broke-up.
Tim Slocombe
Aberta, Canada
Only quitters quitEditor,
With a few days to reflect — and to overcome my disappointment — I’vegrown angry over Discovery, Lance et al’s decision to disband. At a timewhen cycling appears to be at a crossroads and in dire need of leadership,the retreat of America’s flagship team and cycling icon from the sportseems at worst suspicious and, at best, cowardly.T-Mobile came out with a strong statement against doping and in supportof the sport. Team Lance decided to run with our money and abandon thegood will that made him what he is today. America, and the world, deservebetter. Thank goodness with Team Slipstream we appear to be getting it.
Best,
Erik Bruce
Healdsburg, California
It’s all about the ethicsDear Velo,
All of the letters I have read lament that Discovery was unavailableto find a title sponsor. Although that was my interpretation on firstblush, I have come to conclude that they could not only find a title sponsor,but already had one in the bag. They simply chose to pull out ofthe sport when the environment was not conducive to the sponsor realizinga good return on their investment. Yet another tragedy for cycling,but an ethical action of the highest order by Discovery .
Jon Trent
San Antonio, Texas
Hope for the futureDear VeloNews,
In the midst of all of the immense stupidity and disappointment incycling, let's not miss a great performance by a future star with an incredibleset of genes. I was always a fan of both of his parents andcan't wait to see what this kid does in the future. The restof the team did well in the road race also. U.S. cycling is notdead!!
Gerald D Karcher Jr., MD
Birmingham, Alabama
P-A-R-O-D-YDear Velonauts,
As one who rarely writes letters to editors, I've still got to giveO'Grady his props. I've been a VeloNews subscriber since it was a foldednewsletter from Vermont, and I've enjoyed Patrick’s "scribblings" sinceI first found them.Despite all of the negative reactions, that man can write! To thosewho crab about his "crabbiness," his own response is best: "(this) is intendedas parody, absurdity and satire for the purposes of entertainment. So calloff the lawyers already."It's humor, folks. Get some.Oh, and Dopers Suck
Alan Shultz
Columbus, Ohio
The Mailbag is a regular department on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have read in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to
webletters@insideinc.com. Please include your
full name, hometown and state or nation. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. Writers are encouraged to limit their submissions to one letter per month. The letters published here contain the opinions of the submitting authors and should not be viewed as reflecting the opinions, policies or positions of VeloNews.com, VeloNews magazine or our parent company, Inside Communications, Inc.