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Wednesday's mailbag: Fuentes, Hamilton and Hincapie

Published: Nov. 17, 2004

The Mail Bag 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.

Ill-gotten gains?
Editor:
On the topic of Dave Fuentes' suspension, it's interesting to read that the arbitration panel essentially counted his entire spring and summer of racing as part of his suspension term. That's really unfortunate.

I guess this means riders in the future should dope early in the season and, even if caught, consider using the long appeal process to continue cheating. Hey, you can keep racing, pick up prize money for months, disrespect the rest of the peloton and promoters, and they'll count the whole period towards your suspension. Or just cheat through the appeal process, pick up your cash and podium spots, and then retire. Not a bad deal.

I don't know Dave personally but I do know he raced quite successfully in our Northern California events this summer. It's too bad the court didn't ask Dave to return his prize money and apologize to promoters, event sponsors and everyone he raced with.

Erin Kassoy
Palo Alto, California

The AAA/CAS panel also ruled that "Fuentes forfeits all competitive results occurring on or after March 25, 2004." In that sense, the ruling is more comprehensive than the 2002 lifetime ban handed out to TammyThomas, since she was able to keep her results intact for the period between the point her sample was taken and the point at which the panel issued a final ruling in the case. Unfortunately, those results included 43 points earned in World Cup competition, forever tainting the World Cup earned by the entire U.S. squad that year. - Editor

The UCI's rush to judgment
Editor:
While I support efforts to eliminate drug use and blood doping in professional cycling, in the case of Tyler Hamilton, Santi’ Perez and Phonak, the UCI's behavior resembles that of a dictatorship rather than an organization based on western democratic principles.

In particular, the UCI's failure to provide the detailed test results to Hamilton's legal team deprives Tyler of the fundamental right of due process. The validity of the test also is called into question if the UCI is not willing to have it subjected to medical and legal scrutiny. And to threaten Phonak with exclusion from the ProTour for supporting their riders' right to appeal the results of the blood tests smacks of extortion.

Heavy-handed prosecution of blood doping cases will harm the sport as much as blood doping itself. It seems that the UCI is so committed to a campaign against performance-enhancing drugs and blood doping that they are willing to sacrifice the rights of riders, and punish potentially innocent riders, in their rush to judgment. It is the same mentality that results in an innocent individual being jailed for a crime he didn't commit.

I would suggest that the better approach is for the UCI to disclose the requested information and allow the blood test to be scientifically scrutinized. If the individuals are still found to have committed infractions, then the results will be more widely accepted. If it is perceived that the individuals have been railroaded, the results will be questioned and found to lack credibility.

As the UCI moves forward in its efforts to improve the sport, professional cycling demands that performance-enhancing drugs and blood doping be eliminated. However, it also demands that the rights of the individuals involved are not sacrificed in the process.

Mark Oberlatz
Franklin, Connecticut

Just come clean, man
Editor:
So, like W, it seems Tyler Hamilton is just another American who refuses to admit it when he did something wrong. Give up your medal, Tyler, it’s time to admit you made a bad choice. Besides, don't you feel sick to your stomach every time you look at the medal?

Tyler's actions, along with those of his teammates Oscar Camenzind and Santiago Perez (it can't be coincidental that the second transfusion positive came from Tyler's teammate, can it?), have destroyed a once-promising team and potentially long-term sponsor of the sport. Yet again, cycling's reputation and appeal to the casual fan suffer a blow at the hands of one of its own.

Jeff Fortin
Maine

All that glitters is not gold
Dear Tyler,
Give up the gold. Regardless of your potential guilt or innocence, whether it is your own doing or a horrible mistake, something you have accomplished is tainted. Give it up and get it back after you have proved - beyond a doubt - that you are innocent. It will make both victories that much more genuine and meaningful. You are riding that fine line of being remembered for your obstinacy, rather than your achievement.

Robb Gibson
Tucson, Arizona
P.S. We have always been your fans as much because of the races you don’t win, as the ones you do.

By George!
Editor:
I am compelled to respond to the letters by Earl Aneas (see Friday's mailbag) and John Gaffney incorrectly characterizing George Hincapie as unfriendly and uncaring. I have only met George Hincapie twice but both occasions showcased his unselfishness and generosity.

In 2003 George had come off of a brutal summer schedule and had just finished competing in the world championships. Nonetheless, in October of that year George and his brother, Rich, gave an entire weekend of their time to be with families and friends of people associated with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) in Death Valley. Death Valley is not exactly a posh vacation spot, nor was there any media spotlight to generate personal publicity. He was clearly there simply to be supportive of a cause. While there, he signed dozens of autographs and posed for countless photos. Throughout the weekend he was always approachable and friendly.

In October of this year, shortly before the birth of his little girl, George again spent priceless spare time with those trying to raise funds for JDRF. And again, he posed for what seemed like an endless number of photos and signed hundreds of autographs.

During both events, George was never anything but gracious, humble and friendly. If anything, he seemed shy and uncomfortable with the attention showered upon him, and that he voluntarily puts himself into such a situation for a charity speaks volumes about his character.

George Hincapie and his brother Rich are excellent representatives of both professional cycling and professional athletes generally.

Mr. Aneas and Mr. Gaffney are simply mistaken.

John K. Messersmith, IV
Richmond, Virginia

He's a good guy
Editor:
My wife and I were lucky enough to meet and get autographs from George Hincapie and some of the other USPS riders at the 2004 San Francisco Grand Prix. On three occasions we crossed paths with George (once alone in the elevator after the race). All three times George was extremely nice and (as one writer stated) very gracious! However I can understand at times these individuals can be preoccupied and may not always be at their best. I would cut him some slack and chalk it up to a bad moment.

George, you and your family are always welcome in my town! Bring the team also!

Dennis Plessas
Gold River, California

Let the man enjoy his moment
Editor:
All I have to say to Earl A. Aneas is that you should try to be a little more compassionate toward someone who just became a father. I were told that someone I didn’t like had become a father, I would still congratulate him.

The creation of life seems a pretty miraculous thing, and we should congratulate people who have just become fathers or mothers. Big deal if you think George blew you off – try to spead some love.

Andrew Genco
Easton, Pennsylvania

A true gentleman
Editor:
Bike riders are only human, but from what I can tell, George Hincapie is a pretty good one. VeloNews is probably receiving a lot of George stories, and here's another small one.

My brother lives in Greenville, South Carolina, and is a casual cycling fan. One day early in 2004, he went into a local coffee shop and in walked George Hincapie, in his USPS blues, with local prodigy Craig Lewis. My brother struck up a conversation, probably asking the same silly questions that hundreds of other fans ask. George talked for a few minutes, then went out for a ride with Lewis.

Eight or nine months later, my brother is standing in a checkout line at the grocery store, and up walks George Hincapie. My brother starts up a conversation and George says: "I remember you. Didn't we talk at the [name of coffee shop] one time?" They chat for a few minutes and George heads off (diapers in hand).

How many regular folks (like you and me) would remember a stranger that they met briefly eight months before while waiting in line in a coffee shop? And if they remembered them, how many would be open enough to say so? Now, make that person one of the top cyclists in the United States for the last decade (enjoying rock-star status among many) and consider how remarkable that is.

Bob Miller
Norwich, Vermont

An unusually nice guy
Editor:
I recently read Earl Aneas' letter expressing negative comments about George Hincapie, and I couldn't help but write this rebuttal immediately.

It appalls me to see you print such a negative letter about George, when Mr. Aneas is so obviously out of touch with who George really is. By almost everyone's account, George Hincapie is one of the truly nice guys in professional cycling.

I can cite dozens of examples of things George has done in just the last few months that have had a positive impact on our sport and people in general. Like signing and mailing some autographed pictures for some soldiers stationed in Iraq that are huge cycling fans. Like donating autographed jerseys for the local school board auction to help raise money for the local school system. Like riding with the local bicycle club just to be social. Like spending the day riding with several hundred cyclists at the Asheville Ride to Cure Diabetes to help find a cure for juvenile diabetes. Like donating Hincapie apparel to several junior programs around the country to help grow the sport.

These are things he does because deep down inside that incredibly talented professional cyclist, George is a genuine, first-class person.

I am sorry that Mrs. Aneas didn't get George's autograph. I know George would be disappointed as well. He tries very hard to give back to his fans and most of them appreciate him for that fact.

George Hincapie is definitely not your typical self-absorbed cyclist. He is a rare exception in this ego-filled, selfish sport. He is genuinely an all-around nice guy, and it is a true pleasure for me to be his friend and professional colleague.

Steve Baker
Greenville, South Carolina

The Mail Bag 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.