Letters to Cyclingnews - August 26, 2005

Lance versus France

Here's a model for justice that any third world dictatorship could be proud of:

1) Dig up some really old urine samples
2) Apply a test/algorithm which may or may not be valid due to the age of the sample
3) Declare the findings positive
4) Violate ethics codes by leaking the name of the athlete who gave the sample (the only one of 16 names leaked)
5) Announce to the world that the athlete is guilty while admitting he has no recourse and that the science is suspect
6) Have the director of the largest bike race in the world, owned by the same parent company, declare that testing after-the-fact is a good thing.

Gosh, maybe this segment of the French cycling community should quit its bellyaching and take the recent advice of one of its great former champions: Get out there and train harder! Otherwise, you'll continue to be stomped into the earth at your own event.

Sorry losers...

Jim Strange

Nevada, USA
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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Can of worms story

I'd like to congratulate you on your story, "L'Equipe doping story opens can of worms." This story answered many of the questions that L'Equipe's story raised, and failed to answer.

A good news article should be informative and avoid leaving holes in the story which only confuse the reader. It seems like L'Equipe is content to confuse readers as long as it possibly sells papers. It's as if they treat their stories like American soap operas, where they have already written the script, encouraging readers to "stay tuned for the next exciting episode where we'll reveal xxx." It's a game to them. Their doing the readers and the world of cycling a disservice. Fans don't want doping. Fans and rider want a constructive solution to the problem. A newspaper has a unique opportunity to be part of a constructive solution. Rather than using their position to help solve the problem, L'Equipe has chosen to use their resources for selfish, vindictive motives.

Your news service and others like Velonews have made an effort to fill in the holes left from these unethical stories, and reveal the real problems in testing protocol. Fans who are interested in the health of the sport appreciate this.

Thanks,

Jesse Smith
Thursday, August 25, 2005

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The Test

While not even considering the conflict of interest with the lab, newspaper and those involved, the legal/ethical issues of how the information became available, and questions about the validity of six-year-old specimens, I have some questions about the test itself.

1) From what I've seen on this and other sites it's not clear to me if this test is considered a "new" test or not. If it's a new test doesn't it have to be scientifically reviewed by someone other than the developer, then approved by the IOC, UCI and other doping associations before being accepted as a legitimate test? I haven't seen anything that says this has been done. If not then it's a non-test and this issue should be moot.

2) If this is considered a modification of the "approved" EPO test (although I don't see how it could not be with a new review protocol) then serious questions still arise. The EPO test in place was developed, scientifically reviewed, accepted by the various groups (and as beyond any doubt) then recently found to still be inaccurate on occasion. Now we have the "old" test that was found to provide false positives and an unsupported or accepted new protocol and we are supposed to accept findings from it without question?

It seems like there are lots of questions that need answering by those pointing the finger.

Rex Gilmore

Springfield, VA, USA
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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Benoit Salmon wins the 1999 Tour

"Jacques de Ceaurriz, the head of France's anti-doping laboratory, which developed the EPO urine test, told Europe-1 radio that at least 15 urine samples from the 1999 Tour had tested positive for EPO.

Separately, the lab said it could not confirm that the positive results were Armstrong's. It noted that the samples were anonymous, bearing only a six-digit number to identify the rider, and could not be matched with the name of any one cyclist.

However, L'Equipe said it was able to make the match."

Ok, ok, ok, settle down folks! The Lab cannot confirm, now suddenly L'Equipe can make the match; please explain to us how it was that you were able to decide that THIS anonymous sample was Lance's. That's right, you run the drug testing labs don't you? Oh Please! The lab also indicates there were a total of 15 positive samples.

So tomorrow's headline is French rider Benoit Salmon has received the distinction of winning the 1999 Tour de France. Having finished in 16th place, and since we can only deduce that the first 15 riders were the anonymous riders that were found to have tested positive, the French have their first winner since Bernard Hinault.

Haven't we heard enough of innuendos and speculations? When the lab itself says it is anonymous, then that is it! End of story! Anonymous is not another way of spelling Armstrong!

Hard facts, then I listen! Until then...

Michel van M

Buford, GA
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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The perfect crime

The allegation by L'Equipe that Armstrong used EPO during the 1999 Tour smells rotten on many levels, but I'll leave it to others to point them out. What strikes me as the foulest side of the story is this: there is absolutely no way now for Armstrong to show any hard evidence that could counter the accusations. The B sample has been destroyed. There is no C sample. There is only Armstrong's pledge that he did nothing wrong.

Now, of course, LeBlanc says Armstrong owes the world an explanation, but if there was no wrongdoing, there is no explanation to give: what more can Armstrong say than "I didn't do it, and I don't know why the test says I did"? And to his doubters, that is as good as an admission of guilt. L'Equipe has committed a perfect journalistic crime: accusing someone of cheating while knowing full well that the evidence that might exonerate him has been destroyed. I'm not sure what the word for that sort of behavior is in English, but in French I believe it's une montagne de merde.

Tim Heffernan

Brooklyn, New York
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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Armstrong tests positive

To begin with, as bad as this may sound, the whole Armstrong "positive" test scenario seems so typically French - "Ah, so he has won, le Tour seven times! We shall bring him down and say he was on the dope!" Right. Now that Lance has retired, time to really tear him down. Maybe there is another motive here. There is a lot of money at stake from the good ol' US dollars brought to France by Americans wanting to see Lance kick some butt. Now that Lance is done, the gravy train could be over. Could it be the French want to really piss Armstrong off so he'll do another Tour? I wonder...

In my mind, if this EPO test was so accurate, where were these results before? Why has this not come out before this years Tour? Armstrong's test results do not really prove anything to me. Instead, it casts more doubt on the testing process as a whole. Questions about the test, those who administer it, etc., could be looked upon as proof that the whole system is as corrupt as the dopers they intend to stop.

Furthermore, WADA's Dick Pound, for one, seems to go too far with his comments on a regular basis about athletes' tests results, acting as though the results are complete proof of guilt. If the tests are shown to be flawed, are all statements by Dick Pound then open to litigation back to 1999? I, for one, would like to see this. Particularly since those who test positive are considered guilty until proven innocent.

Here is a simple question to ask yourself; If you did EPO, would you give your cash to fund test equipment purchase? Maybe, maybe not. But Armstrong sure did.

Bruce Lee

Redmond, WA
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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L'Equipe and ASO

As reported by the Associated Press, "L'Equipe is owned by the Amaury Group whose subsidiary, Amaury Sport Organization, organises the Tour de France and other sporting events."

Why does no one seem to entertain the thought that a group with such a vested interest in tearing down the achievements of retired cyclist Lance Armstrong would not stoop to tampering? You cannot have unbiased testing, investigating, and reporting unless it is done by someone who does not care one way or the other and also by someone who cannot be "bought."

L'Equipe, and obviously the Amaury Group (note LeBlanc's quick ability to turn on someone in such a public manner), have for years been searching for a way to discredit Lance Armstrong. If this was somehow done to help cycling become clean, that would be one thing, but they clearly despise Mr. Armstrong individually and have not been shy about it either. L'Equipe has waited till the "right" moment when he has retired, and the fickle public is ready and willing for any new scandal to titillate them. It will become a war played out in gossip and mud-slinging.

The combination of cyclists who actually do commit doping offenses, scientists who want to make names for themselves with their questionable methods and tests, and so-called journalists who just want to wield public opinion to fulfill their own vendettas will now make it nearly impossible for Mr. Armstrong to ever prove innocence for every single year of his racing career. What would be the point, even if he could? People just are the way they are - they usually prefer scandal so that they don't have to look at how horrible they are themselves.

Bob Roll of OLN has always said that cycling is the metaphor for life, its ups and downs, struggles, and triumphs. Well, it definitely has brought out the worst in human nature.

Bridgette Fleming

Florida, USA
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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Lance rubbish

Good morning

Honestly, how can anyone take L'Equipe seriously? They have been on a witch-hunt against Lance, since what, the year 2000? If the results had been released by a governing body, I might actually blink. Secondly, the test for EPO has been around for at least four to five years. Considering that the French judicial system is clearly biased against Lance, I doubt they would wait this long to test samples taken over EIGHT years ago!

Spencer Dech

Lansdale, PA, USA
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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Lance and the French yellow press

Of course since the French cannot even win a small race they must lash out at those who humiliate them and their poor performance. As noted, they say there is "proof" that Lance used EPO in 1999 to win his first Tour, and thus must be a cheat. As we all know Lance had just recovered from a series of massive chemo sessions and as we also know EPO has, and continues to be a valid and essential medication to aid in cancer patients' recovery. Even if there was some form of definitive proof of EPO residue in the urine test (which I doubt anyway) I can't imagine it not being some residual trace.

Michael Rigby,

Orlando, Florida, USA
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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Armstrong, EPO and WADA

No doubt the recent news of Armstrong's alleged past doping history will have the letters bin overfull, and for what it's worth, here's my opinion.

Firstly, I know that all these years of his image building might be in the toilet if in fact these suggestions can be proven, and so far this may be the case. If Dick Pound from WADA, a rational and intelligent man, sits up and takes notice, I think he may see something. Obviously he has been watching this for a while. I know there has been an ongoing bun fight between the French media and Armstrong, but are they any worse than the British media and their constant scrutiny and questioning of footballers? I don't think so. Armstrong and his media men have either thundered their denials or threatened legal action, which along with his huge international pull, has generally been enough to put the hounds off. Now he's out of the saddle and a regular bloke, he may have to live up to his past without the mercy he may have had as a pro rider. He will be able to rely somewhat on his American supporters and the companies he is sponsored by, but even from the US I have read letters expressing some doubt of the miracle cure or wondering why Armstrong is so evasive.

If after exhaustive testing, his samples show up positive results, how will he fight it? Will he show that he's human and would do anything to win? It took an incredible amount of guts for Virenque to finally say, yes I did it, he survived and remains a popular figure...and he's not a patch on Armstrong popularity wise. If Armstrong comes clean and admits that he went from basically zero (if one believes his books) to TDF winner in 18 months, using whatever it took, I doubt if it would make a dint in his success story. If he tries to gut it out, he may really wreck that carefully manicured image, and leave a bigger smudge on his legacy, but that is something that he would have to decide once total proof has been established.

Steve Stewart-Sturges

Palm Beach, QLD, Australia
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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Lance

In all this activity regarding the L'Equipe article, I am puzzled over a number of issues:

1) Is the new test accurate? Some scientists claim EPO degrades quickly and can't be measured after being stored
2) If the samples are truly anonymous, how can you say they are from Lance Armstrong, or anyone else for that matter?
3) If there was any positive test result, from any athlete, wouldn't this be subject to the protocol established by the governing bodies and the test organizations, involving test corroboration, guarantees that the samples weren't tampered with, confidentiality, and notification of the "guilty" party?

I worked for a number of years at an environmental laboratory, doing PCB analyses from toxic waste sites. Most times I had no knowledge of the samples' source, and many times I witnessed low level contamination in "clean" samples, as a result of cross contamination in the lab. That is why we repeated tests many times over and had strict chain of custody procedures. We didn't want to place blame on a company incorrectly, as that would have major ramifications, both morally and legally. Also, we generally had less than 24 hours to test a sample since degradation of organic compounds can happen very quickly.

In this case, there seems to be no attempt to err on the side of caution. Is Lance that hated by L'Equipe and the ASO? Man, I have to rethink my love for the Tour De France.

Scott Grimshaw

Skaneateles, NY
Thursday, August 25, 2005

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Downgrading Armstrong victories

Jean-Marie Leblanc says that the UCI would have to decide on whether Armstrong's victories in the past should be downgraded in the event any allegations are found to be true.

Is he, or anyone else in France, pushing to have Virenque's mountain jerseys downgraded as well? If not, why not?

Michael Dolenga

Woodinville, WA, USA
Tuesday, August 23, 2005

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Lance doping garbage

Immediately after L'Equipe's article suggesting that Armstrong is guilty of doping with EPO to win the 1999 Tour, top lab officials question the validity of a test of older samples. The current credibility problems of EPO testing on current samples complicates this matter. But the idea that Lance Armstrong was dragged into the fray of accusation after recent tests of a very old B sample of his urine is an outrage because of the obvious violation of individual rights!

Whatever happened to the rights of the individual athlete? How can it be legal to test Lance's blood after six years have passed? I understand the idea that the testing has to catch up with the new 'do well' cheat who is ahead of governance with designer drugs, etc. but to hold a sample in perpetuity seems extremely unfair. This is not a DNA sample in a forensic case.

To me it seems suspect that WADA and the UCI were all too ready to assure Mr Armstrong, whose name has again been impugned by association, that there would be no sanction. You see the testing was just done as part of an experiment to assert the validity of the test itself...how can this be the basis of a sports news story?

If this test was of the only urine samples left, not to be used to sanction riders, and just for scientific purposes, why wasn't it confidential?

The French would do well to support Lance; who knows where he may end up?

Ted Anderson

Chicago
Tuesday, August 23, 2005

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Lance versus Jan

Now that we know about Armstrong's EPO abuse, perhaps we should reconsider Ullrich's place in the cycling pantheon. Perhaps Ullrich, one of the greatest cyclists ever, suffered the grave misfortune of having a cheater steal his rightful glory.

But, on the other hand, I'm sure there will be numerous letters from Lance apologists giving all kinds of reasons why we should disbelieve L'Equipe's expose. None are so blind as those who will not see.

Joe Clapp

Oakland, CA
Tuesday, August 23, 2005

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Doping

I'm tired of reading naive points of view by candid Americans who believe in miracles and fairy tales, especially in regards to their athletes. The super rich world of professional sports is doped to its teeth and that includes, it goes without saying, cycling. That's the reality. Wake up to it. And with the California BALCO lab scandal that has brought US doping (even in baseball!) into the international news, you would think more people in the States would be more willing to face the facts. Nobody in cynical Europe, for example, thinks that the pros come to fight the wars armed only with water pistols. That would be suicide, to say nothing of how disastrous it would be for the sponsors. Or that champions become such especially these days on bread and water, pane e acqua as they say in Italy, alone. Everything is licit that hasn't been caught. That's the mentality, and anybody in the sporting world that says otherwise is a big fat liar.

Rob Huber

Italy
Saturday, August 20, 2005

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Six stages to win the 99 tour

The fact that there were allegedly 6 positives makes me very uncomfortable.

To win the 1999 TdF, you absolutely, er, positively, had to excel in the three TTs and the three mountain top finishes. There were no other stages of note for the GC. Of those six, LA won all three TT's and the climb to Sestriere, came in with the lead group on Alpe D'Huez and lost a handful of seconds to Zulle and Virenque on the only Pyrenean mountain top finish at Piau-Engaly.

Either l'Equipe is being far too cute in its 'tabloid journalism', or LA wasn't taking any chances. It smells fishy on whichever side you believe.

Barry Whittle

Seattle, WA

Thursday, August 25, 2005

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EPO test under scrutiny

Cyclingnews.com should hang its head for associating itself with the hype instead of the story of Armstrong's alleged positive test. The notion that a French newspaper is pursuing Armstrong was reported as "stunning news" by your fine web page. Stunning? Here's another "shocker" for you: Brad and Angelina were recently an item.

Seriously, don't denigrate what you do by hopping on the bandwagon. Call this for what it is by noting (somewhere other than in fine print) that this "news" has a long history that so far has gone nowhere repeatedly and if you want, list all the links to past brough-ha-ha about this c***. I'd much rather read an eight paragraph interview with up-and-coming revelation Saul Raisin than continuing speculative reporting on this side-show of cycling. If somebody really wanted to test aging urine samples to see if the tests might be working on old samples, let's start where there's very likely evidence using (if available) samples from early to mid 1990's "champions."

Mark Adams

Denver, Colorado
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

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Lance irony

Regardless of what one believes regarding the latest doping allegations swirling around Lance Armstrong, it is indeed unfortunate that our most recent memory of Armstrong is of him riding with President Bush. The last thing Lance needs at this time is an association with Bush, a public figure dogged with a very real credibility issue over the dubious reasons for going to war in Iraq.

Charles Ariz

Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Thursday, August 25, 2005

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Lance as a spokesman

The American honeymoon with Lance Armstrong seems poised to end with L'Equipe's compelling revelation that his 1999 TDF victory may well be marred by banned substance use - a known pet peeve of President Bush.

It is unfortunate timing given the tête à tête these two cyclists had just the day before on a serious matter close to Lance's heart: cancer research funding. While his enthusiasm for the cause is laudable, public health is in need of a believable spokesperson who respects scientific research.

Now that he has retired from cycling, Armstrong is faced with a decision of where to apply his many and undeniable talents. Coming clean with the public and helping his friend, President Bush, in the 'crusade' to clean up professional sports would be a compelling chapter in a fascinating life story.

Caitlin Hawke

New York, NY
Thursday, August 25, 2005

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Cyclists and politicians

Following the news that Lance was planning to do a bike ride with President Bush, the photo image on your site of Damiano Cunego posing with Umberto Bossi after the Tre Valli Varesine was very disheartening.

I realize that it's hard for our sports heroes to refuse meeting or posing with powerful political leaders, but to proudly wear the green semi-swastika scarf symbol of a xenophobic organization with racist tendencies, The Lega Nord, as Cunego is doing in this photo (while in the arms of Bossi) is very disturbing. I, for one, will always run in the other direction when I see any political organization that has its followers wear a single color shirt (for Lega...it is green) in fascist paramilitary style.

Is Cunego a supporter of the goals of the Lega Nord: Separation of Italy north of the Po River and the establishment of a new country called "Padania"? Is Lance a supporter of President Bush? Are these two cycling stars being seen as supporters of politicians with questionable goals? What should we, as a cycling community, expect from our heroes...besides winning? Thanks and Grazie mille.

Scott MacNeill
Friday, August 19, 2005

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Verbruggen's campaign to elect his successor

Hein Verbruggen is engaged in an illegal campaign to elect his successor to the presidency of the UCI. Verbruggen uses the UCI to bully and muzzle those he disagrees with, i.e., Sylvia Schenk.

It's high time Verbruggen is treated like the corrupt bully he is. For many years, he's acted out with impunity. One example comes to mind. Verbruggen jumped in Graeme Obree's path during the track worlds in the early 90s because Obree wasn't one of the boys - an unknown who dared to break the hour record.

Now, Verbruggen is trying to silence Sylvia Schenk for her courageous stand against corruption in the UCI presidential election process. UCI even went so far as to issue a libelous press release against Scheck. It's comforting to know that incompetence and arrogance aren't limited to the US White House.

I support Ms. Schenk's attempt to bring transparency and accountability to the UCI, and I admire her courage.

Sincerely,

Anthony Cowell
Friday, August 19, 2005

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John Lieswyn

Just want to say thanks to Cyclingnews and John Lieswyn for his fantastic diary entries. Lots of race details and information about John's ideas outside the cycling realm made his entries a pleasure to read, and a break from the usual form letters of many pro diaries.

Thanks for giving so much to cycling, John, and for letting your fans in on your thoughts. Best wishes to you on your next chapter!

Bill Peters
Monday, August 22, 2005

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John Lieswyn #2

John

Congratulations on your career and your fabulous ability to write. You would be staggered by the number of people for whom your diary entries are one of the clear highlights of the fabulous institution that is Cyclingnews. I'm sure that once you've shut the door on your cycling career (which, for what it's worth, if it is going to be shut in my view should be shut firmly) a guy with your physical and intellectual abilities will find opportunities the existence of which had never occurred to you.

Well done.

Duncan Murray
Thursday, August 25, 2005

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Can of worms

My name is Michael Ward. I live in Los Angeles. I am a friend and somewhat regular training partner of Lance Armstrong.

I just wanted to thank you for Tim Maloney's "Can Of Worms" article. It was very thorough, scientific, and non-biased. I appreciate reading something so informative when a story like this is breaking.

It amazes me that people forget what Armstrong has done for the world. Cyclists, cancer patients, parents, children - so many have benefited from what he has given to the world. Sadly, it doesn't amaze me that some pathetic group of French journalists wants to take him down.

Thanks again for the level-headed and very readable article.

Michael Ward

Los Angeles
Thursday, August 25, 2005

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Americans in Paris

Thank you, as always, for the great coverage of all things cycling. I'm hooked.

Concerning recent events and the Armstrong "Scandal": Amidst all of the accusations, allegations, speculation, and controversy taking place behind the scenes right now, I believe only one thing can be stated with certainty.

Dan Rather found a job at L'Equipe.

Travis Ringger

Provo, UT
Thursday, August 25, 2005

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Recent letters pages

Letters 2005

• August 19: Ned Overend, Guidi positive, What is going on at Phonak?, Ullrich's riding style, How about credibility from both sides?, Lieswyn's gesture
• August 12: Pro Tour 2006, Credibility from both sides?, Zabel leaves T-Mobile, Chris Horner, Ullrich's riding style, Well done Wayne!, Armstrong and class, Possible correlations
• August 5: Zabel leaves T-Mobile, Thanks from a survivor, Bicycle safety, Message for Chris Horner, Perspective, Discovery in ninth, Tech, Armstrong and class, The King of July!, Heras through rose colored glasses, Possible correlations
• July 29: Perspective, France and Lance's Legacy, Armstrong and class, Best Wishes to Louise, Levi's Diary, Heras through rose colored glasses, The King of July, Here we go again!, Treat Lance like the others, Tech, Lance Armstrong's time trial equation, Life begins at 30
• July 22: McEwen - villain to superhero, Underdogs and overdogs at the Tour, Big George, George Hincape, Hincapie's stage win, Cadel's Tour memory, What the fans would love to see, Is Godefroot really NOT the man?, A true classic, Phonak's poor sportsmanship, Phonak double standards, My new hero, Discovery Channel tactics, Lance Infomercial?, Treat Lance like the others, TdF sprint finishes, Leaky Gas?, Little black box
• July 15: The best seat in the house, Joseba Beloki, Message for Chris Horner, Treat Lance like the others, Lance Infomercial?, McEwen defense, Rail lines in the TdF, Ruse Discovered?, Discovery's unanimous breakdown, IS Jan really the man?, Cycling socks, Patrick Lefevre quit your whining, Armstrong and class, Leaky Gas?, TdF sprint finishes, Who is in charge of the UCI?, Tires and slippery roads, Response to the Vowels of Cycling, Little black box
• July 8: McEwen defends himself, Tires and slippery roads, Random test on Lance Armstrong, French Government dope controls, The Pro Tour and Grand Tours, Tour de France's early finish?, Here we go again!, Thank you, Ed Kriege, Lance Infomercial?, No, the other Merckx!, The Vowels of Cycling, Armstrong's pre-Tour communiqués, Armstrong and class
• July 1: No, the other Merckx!, Armstrong's pre-Tour communiqués, The Vowels of Cycling, Figures of merit - TdF tipping, Lance Infomercial?, Daily Terror, Sydney article, Why Michael Rogers will be awesome with T-Mobile, I love it!, MTB news, Twins
• June 24: Sydney article, Hit and run on cyclists - Australia's new blood sport?, Another fatal hit and run on Australian cyclists, How can Ullrich win the Tour?, Drop Verbruggen, The second American, When the Tour heads up, Droppin' the Kilo!, Kilo or no go, What is Michael Rogers thinking?, Rogers to T-Mobile, For the love of god don't do it Mick!, The first yellow jersey, Horner Impressive, Leave T-Mobile/Fassa Bortolo, renew your career!, Horner's stage win at the Tour de Suisse, Bobby Julich, Daily Terror, Hell on Wheels review
• June 17: Droppin' the Kilo!, Killing the kilo and 500, The kilo, Axing the Kilo?, The track Time Trials, The first yellow jersey, Armstrong and Class, The year of the comeback, Horner's stage win at the Tour de Suisse
• June 10: The year of the comeback, An open letter to Cadel Evans, How Ullrich can win the Tour, USPRO/Liberty, Lance, the Tour and the Giro, Lance and the Tour, Show us your discards Godefroot!, Armstrong and Class, Ivan's training ride, Giro comments
• June 3: Giro comments, Giro excitement vs Tour blah, Ivan Basso, Ivan's training ride, Discovering the future, Jose Rujano, Savoldelli vs Simoni, How Ullrich can win the Tour, Eddy Merckx Interview, Johan Bruyneel, Show us your discards Godefroot!, Improving Pro Tour Team Rankings, Lance and the Tour, Armstrong and class
• May 27: Giro excitement vs Tour blah, Great Giro!, Double or nothing..., Colle delle Finestre and a Cipo farewell, Joseba Beloki, Ivan's training ride, Hell on Wheels, Matt Wittig, How Ullrich can win the Tour, UCI fines, Armstrong and class, Eddy Merckx Interview, The disappointment of Viatcheslav Ekimov, You have let us down Paolo
• May 20: Colle delle Finestre tactics, Rogues, It just keeps happening, Davis Phinney, Joseba Beloki, Australia - number one, You have let us down Paolo, Bettini/Cooke, What's up with pro cyclists these days?, Cipo, Cipo, Cipo, A question about team names, The disappointment of Viatcheslav Ekimov, Go Eki!
• May 13: Hit and run, Bettini vs Cooke, Bettini's Illegal sprint, You have let us down Paolo, Giro, Bettini/Cooke, Cookie's crumble, Bjarne's right: There's only one Jens Voigt!, Jens Voigt and the blind, South Australians protest against hit-and-run death, It just keeps happening, Liberty Seguros, The disappointment of Viatcheslav Ekimov, Go Eki!, Australia - number one, Irresistible in July, UCI weight rule
• May 6: South Australians protest against hit-and-run death, Tyler Hamilton's case, Hamilton and the facts The USADA decision on Tyler Hamilton, Tyler Hamilton, Tyler, Testing and the Virenque Comparison, How do dopers live with themselves?, General view on doping, Hamilton guilty regardless of the facts, Hamilton verdict, Tyler is good going uphill, Hamilton interview, Klöden comments, Tyler H, Simoni, Grazie Mario, Sheryl Crow, or should we say...Yoko Ono
• April 29: South Australians protest against hit-and-run death, Tyler Hamilton's case, Hamilton and the facts The USADA decision on Tyler Hamilton, Tyler Hamilton, Tyler, Testing and the Virenque Comparison, How do dopers live with themselves?, General view on doping, Hamilton guilty regardless of the facts, Hamilton verdict, Tyler is good going uphill, Hamilton interview, Klöden comments, Tyler H, Simoni, Grazie Mario, Sheryl Crow, or should we say...Yoko Ono
• April 22: Lance Armstrong's retirement, W is for Witchhunt, Tyler's mishandling defense, Not for real, is it?, Bad Science, Blood testing issues, Hamilton - finally a decision, Regarding the Tyler Hamilton decision, Tyler Hamilton, Satisfying Verdict for Hamilton Case, How do dopers live with themselves?, Hamilton's case, Tyler Hamilton's case, Hamilton, Hamilton verdict and a call for outside expertise, Tyler Hamilton saga..., Tour de France preview...2006!, Klöden comments, Tour de France Training, The New Dynamic Duo, Sheryl Crow, or should we say...Yoko Ono, Random Musings
• April 15: Glenn Wilkinson, USADA and Hamilton, Bergman; so sad, ProTour leader's jersey, That's a Jersey?, Too many chiefs?, Track World Championships, What do you think?
• April 8: The New Dynamic Duo, Boonen's Hairdo, Viral infections and antibiotics, George Hincapie, What do you think?, Track World Championships, VDB?, A little bit more about blood doping, Blood testing issues
• April 1: Well done Ale-jet, Eyes of tigers..., Viral infections and antibiotics, Let's talk about cycling…, What's worth talking about in cycling?, First Ride of the season, The New Dynamic Duo, Blood testing issues, Sydney Thousand, UCI Pro Tour Grand Theft, not Grand Tour
• March 18: The Forgotten Hero!, Way to go Bobby, Bobby J, Lance has lost the ‘Eye of the tiger’, Blood testing issues and Hamilton, With all Due Respect, All this Lance Talk..., Is Lance getting soft?
• March 11: Blood testing issues and Hamilton, Cycling on TV, In Defence of UCI president Hein Verbruggen, Defending the Pro Tour?, Is Lance getting soft?, Lance has lost the "eye of the tiger"
• March 4: In Defence of the Pro-Tour, Grand Tours back down...for now, Armstrong and Simeoni,Help - what’s on the TV?, Cycling on TV, Lance Defends His Title!, Hamilton movie role downplayed, Blood testing issues and Hamilton, I really don't know when it happened
• February 25: Lance Defends His Title!, Build it and tear it down?, Build, dismantle and donate!, Lance's Hour Record attempt, I really don't know when it happened, Can't get enough!, Dream on
• February 18: Build it and tear it down?, Remember Marco, One Reason I Love Cycling, The ongoing Hour Record Saga, Lance’s Hour Record attempt, Can't get enough!
• February 11: One Reason I Love Cycling, Francisco Cuevas, F-One - Come down to earth Lance!, Armstrong and the Hour, Can't get enough!, Greatest of all time
• February 4: F-One - Come down to earth Lance!, Armstrong and the Hour, Armstrong and Simeoni, Can't get enough!, Help, Greatest of all time Eddy is King, but who is second best?
• January 28: "I am the greatest of all time", Armstrong and the Hour Record, F-One - Come down to earth Lance!, Lance Drug Probe, Armstrong and Simeoni, Can’t get enough!, Help, NBC's 2004 RAAM Coverage, Doping, Crash distance from 1km to 3km, Eddy is King, but who is second best?
• January 21: Professional Cyclists, Der Kaiser's Goals, Jan Ullrich's problem = Lance, Rider of the Year, Crash distance from 1km to 3km, Help, Lance vs. Eddy
• January 14: Der Kaiser's goals, Help, Foreign stage races, Lance vs. Eddy, Tour '05, Rider of the Year, Best bikes for heavy riders, Quick Step helmets
• January 7: Death of Dmitri Neliubin, Der Kaiser’s goals, Rider of the Year, Best bikes for heavy riders, Who's Greater? Come on now!, Virenque "most charismatic"?, Downhilling, Downhill time trial, Trendy cyclists, No flat tyres, Spring classics trip advice, Bettini's trainer
• January 3: Spring classics trip advice, Big Bear ends downhilling, Armstrong and Simeoni, Holding teams accountable, Downhill time trial, Trendy cyclists, Bettini's trainer, No flat tyres

Letters 2004

• December 24 letters - Why are cyclists so trendy?, Business and cycling, Big Bear ends downhilling, Off-bike weight gain, No flat tires, Armstrong and Simeoni
• December 17 letters - Business and cycling, Tom versus Axel , Big Bear ends downhilling, Shane Perkins, Spring classics trip advice, Tyler Hamilton, Phonak and the UCI, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Mark Webber interview, Armstrong and Simeoni, Injured and missing it: an update, Clyde Sefton
• December 10 letters - Why are cyclists so trendy?, Big Bear ends downhilling, Floyd's choices?, Merckx, fit and trim, Pound must go, Spring classics trip advice, Tyler Hamilton, Phonak and the UCI, Punishment: Vandenbroucke vs Hamilton, Prosthetic hip, Armstrong and Simeoni, Dave Fuentes, Homeopathy, Jeremy Yates, TDF coverage for Australia, Weight limits and maintenance, Mark Webber interview
• December 3 letters - Domestiques vs Lieutenants, Tyler Hamilton, Phonak and the UCI, Dave Fuentes, Santa vs Hairy Guy, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Mark French and homeopathy, Shane Perkins, Jeremy Yates, Weight limits and maintenance, UCI regulations, Armstrong and Simeoni, Prosthetic hip
• November 26 letters - Mark French and homeopathy, Two big guns in one team, Tyler Hamilton case, Bartoli's retirement, Dave Fuentes, Shane Perkins, Merckx and Armstrong, Training like Lance, Lance Armstrong, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Phonak gets what it deserves, Armstrong and Simeoni, Bike weight, Spouseless riders, Mary McConneloug, Adam Craig, Mark Webber interview, Santa vs Hairy Guy
• November 19 letters - Tyler Hamilton case, Phonak gets what it deserves, Are you there Mr Coates?, Bike Weight, Merckx and Maertens make up, Heart troubles, Where to find cycling spouses, Mark Webber interview, Lance Armstrong, Where's Greg?, What ever happened to..., Why are cyclists so trendy?, Armstrong and Simeoni, l'Etape du Tour registration, Still Laughing
• November 12 letters - Why Armstrong will ride the 2005 Tour, Scott Sunderland, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Armstrong and Simeoni, Where to find cycling spouses, Lance on Italian selection, Heart troubles, l'Etape du Tour registration, Tour 2005 team time trial, What ever happened to..., Love and a yellow bike
• November 5 letters - Love and a yellow bike, Tour 2005, Where to find cycling spouses, Why are cyclists so trendy?, Lance on Italian selection, Armstrong and Simeoni, Tour of Southland, Construction technique for veloway, Heart troubles, l'Etape du Tour registration, Rahsaan Bahati
• Letters Index – The complete index to every letters page on cyclingnews.com