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Wednesday's Mailbag: ESPN2's coverage and Bergman's confession
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.
ESPN2 coverage is a bad bet
Editor:
In Houston I waited until 1 a.m. last night to catch the ESPN2 highlights for day two of the Tour of California. After advertisements, I estimate about 40 minutes of actual highlights. What kind of commitment does ESPN call that?
I can’t believe that World Series Poker takes an earlier slot than the Tour of California. ESPN should take a look at their viewer demographics. How many poker freaks can there be in this world?
Damian Ward
Houston, Texas
We’ve heard there’s a reason the lights are on 24/7 in Las Vegas, Damian. — Editor
Coverage is horrible
Editor:
The hype, the hope, the hysteria! I have been looking forward to the Tour of California since it was first announced. Got all the stages set up on my TiVo, the big day comes, and, well — I just thought the coverage was horrible!
Is it just me or does it always make for a more exciting prologue when they include a timer on the screen? Maybe a shot of the actual clock in the corner, anything! Maybe more than a shot of George Hincapie coming over the line and a quick peek at the the top three riders’ performance. Not even a mention of David Zabriskie.
I hope the rest of the tour isn't put together with such haste and lack of appreciation.
Dave Heneise
Boise, Idaho
Camera work, commentary bad for stomach, ears
Editor:
Is it me, or is the ESPN2 nightly recap of the Amgen Tour of California a bittersweet pill to swallow? On one hand, it is great to see nightly coverage of top ProTour teams, especially with the emphasis they put on the American riders. But the motion-sickness-inducing camera work and inept commentary not only make me want to look away at times, but plug my ears, too.
And what’s with the start time of the ESPN2 recap moving up by one hour all of a sudden? Made me miss the whole Sierra Road climb. Well, at least I knew what happened already, thanks to VeloNews.com’s live updates earlier in the day.
Scott Grantham
Boulder, Colorado
Get ready for more of the same
Editor:
Lane St John (See Monday’s Mailbag: "Fox covers fishing and poker, but cycling? Nah") has a excellent point. The coverage of cycling in the United States is likely to diminish more and more. Without Lance Armstrong and no real heir apparent, OLN and others really have no reason to cover the sport.
As loyal fans, we all know there are great cyclists in the peloton with their own stories of struggle and purpose, riders who can win stages or take that dramatic flyer off the front. These stories and events may not be as dramatic as Lance's, but they are important. OLN and others do not care.
Unless another flamboyant American rider comes along in the next couple of years, an athlete with a cause, who wins the Tour, we will see the Tour covered much like the Tour of California — one hour of tape-delayed coverage, presented at 2 a.m., if we’re lucky.
Tony Christen
Maryville, Tennessee
Bergman deserves forgiveness
Editor:
I read Adam Bergman's open letter admitting to EPO use and agree with all the letters congratulating his courage to do so. However, I had to respond to Bjorn Carlson’s letter headlined, "Admission after bust is hardly courageous."
I am glad the letter is posted and agree with it in part. It also confirms one of the greatest benefits of living in the U.S., i.e., the right to openly discuss and dissent on issues of importance. But I think it misses a point.
Forgiveness is not weakness. In being remorseful and contrite he pays us back some respect. In a small way his feeling bad acknowledges the underlying truth that winning through hard work and determination is far more satisfying and impressive than winning under false circumstances.
I don't think anyone will forget Adam Bergman took EPO, least of all him. His admission will be inexorably tied to his career and he has to bear that burden. His true test of character will be how he finishes the balance of his career. But his showing a modicum of ethics is far preferable to the cheats who never admit to anything and posture in a false sense of worth. In my mind, his confession is worthy of forgiveness.
George Cacoulidis
Clifton, New Jersey
Admitting wrongdoing takes courage
Editor:
Mr. Carlson has it wrong. First, it's ethics, not courage, which should be displayed when no one is looking. The lack of ethics is what got Mr. Bergman in trouble. He thought no one was looking. Courage, on the other hand, can be displayed in front of any number of people, whether it's saving a drowning person or rushing into the Twin Towers. It does take courage to admit one is wrong. Sometimes lots of courage. Further, it doesn't matter if you apologize to one or a million.
Second, before anyone can move on to a road of recovery, one must first admit that there, is a problem. That's the basis for any recovery program. Mr. Bergman has now done this.
Third, Mr. Carlson's comment about being in the ProTour is irrelevant.
Getting caught does not lighten a burden - admitting that one is wrong, having the courage to openly admit it, and taking steps to correct the wrong will lighten one's burden so that life can be lived fully.
Lastly, this is exactly what the penalty was for - to penalize wrong doing and to put the violator on the straight path.
Mr. McKay's response was an example of how to use the confession, as opposed to the unfounded criticism of Mr. Carlson.
Ride on, Mr. Bergman; right on, Mr. McKay!
Tom Smith
Ithaca, New York
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.
