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Wednesday's Mailbag: Matt's message

Published: Jan. 26, 2005

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.

Matt's right, the team's off the mark
VeloNews,
I will no longer consider purchasing any products from the sponsors of the Ofoto-Sierra Nevada Cycling Team as long as Matt DeCanio is treated as an outlaw for freely expressing himself in his public opposition to doping in the sport. (see "Ofotofires DeCanio over web sites")

It simply leaves the impression no one in the industry is willing to stake their reputation on the line alongside him when doping in the pro peloton is at an all-time high. Apparently, it's easier to turna deaf ear, drop one guy from the roster and be 'politically correct' as to not offend the dopers (like they are a minority with rights), than stand for what is right.

Cyclists will soon be considered no different than the other team-sports that hide from conforming to WADA standards behind a players union, only the big-money sponsors in cycling are the 'Union.' It seems to me, it's more about the bottom-line: $$$

Some statistics show for every one respondent to an organization, there are as many as 100 (plus or minus) who share the same opinion that simply don't take the time to voice their opinion.
John Alan Jones
Lufkin, Texas

Follow the money
Editors,
DeCanio's web site content leaves much to be desired in terms of grooming popular support, in fact it's more alarmist and contentious than necessary. Having said that, his desire to expose the true motivation for the use of performance enhancing drugs is spot on. Let's face it, corporate greed is the ultimate driver for such practices regardless of sport and the athletes, while not completely innocent, are driven to such extremes by an overwhelming "demand" to perform.

My concern has little connection to corporate greed but I nonetheless wrestle with the issue personally. As a parent attempting to raise children with a love and desire to remain athletically active during their adults lives, how do I guide them and stress fairness when performance enhancing information bombards them at every turn?
Mike Hines
Ivoryton, Connecticut

Good message, wrong messenger
Dear Velo,
The time for DeCaino to have been outspoken about drugs was before he stuck the needle in his arm. His message falls on deaf ears today because he had a chance to be a hero and stand up for what he “believes in” – instead he chose to cheat, lie and pretend. An American Pantani.
Robert M. O'Dea
Sausalito, California

We heard ya, Matt!
Editors,
Matt got the ball rolling, now it's time for USA Cycling and VeloNews to do their jobs.

Juniors will listen, and that is a fact! Juniors, and I, are ready to face the doping demon. We are ready to listen. Give us an editorial column built to motivation and choosing the right path. Give us an anti-doping junior team. Give us a future!

In case you missed it, anti-doping just became cool.
Ryan Sickles
Deerfield Beach, Florida

It’s what Jesus (Manzano) would do
Velo,
While I applaud Matt DeCanio's vigorous anti-doping stance, I can't find any fault with Ofoto-Sierra Nevada's decision to fire him. DeCanio had a job to do for them, and he wasn't abiding by the agreed upon contract. His “you're either with me or for doping” attitude is both self-serving and contrary to the essential nature of a team sport like cycling.

It is certainly possible to be both vocally anti-doping and do a proper job for your sponsor. I would find DeCanio even more admirable if he were able to continue his message within the framework of being a productive team member, rather than choosing a course of sensationalist self-promotion a la Jesus Manzano.
Peter Nicholson
Petaluma, California

Love him or hate him, he's good for the sport
Dear VeloNews,
The funny thing is that DeCanio is good for cycling. Cycling needs someone who is loud and outspoken. It will be good for the sport. If other pros don't like it, they can make it clear in the peloton, but let things be settled on the bike! Let his legs do the talking when he races and let his mouth speak its mind off the bike. I think he has already gotten his low-key domestic team more coverage than any race result could have gotten. I would most likely pay attention to races that Matt raced in that I would previously overlook. I am curious to see how things would pan out. I am a fan.

Love him or hate him, he could definitely add some spice to the domestic scene this season. I support him and ask everyone to buy a Stolen Underground t-shirt to keep his perspective and "views" alive in the sport. I also know that others beside me think its a shame to fire him. I at least give Matt credit for having the guts to stand his ground. If he is fired and no one else picks him up the domestic race scene would be tarnished.
Forrest Gladding
Salt Lake City, Utah

Well Richard?
Editor,
Maybe an industry guy like Richard Sachs can start a clean team around Matt DeCanio (see Richard Sachs' letter in "Monday's Mailbag"). I am sure there are enough industry sponsors out there that want to clean up the sport who aren't afraid of the ugly truth on DeCanio's site.

With some others, I think that DeCanio's site is a bit on the edgy side at times, but the truth is that there is a problem in cycling - there have been enough exposed scandals to tell us that, and I don't think that we have even scraped the surface. How many more Tyler Hamilton and David Millar cases are we going to see before we finally have real answers?

It just seems that the real issues are being pushed under the rug yet again. I wish the best for Matt DeCanio, but I don't put much hope in his racing again unless he gives in and gives up the battle. Finally, what are the others trying to hide? If he is guilty of libel, then sue him. It's time for all in the sport and industry to put up or shut up.
Tim McDonald
Richmond, Virginia

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.