Thursday Letters: More on VDB

VeloNews.com welcomes your letters. If you run across something inthe pages of VeloNews, or see something on VeloNews.com that causesyou to want to write us, drop us a line at WebLetters@7Dogs.com.Please include your full name and home town. By submitting mailto this address, you are consenting to the publication of your letter.It’s all about winning, right?Editor;How come you have so many readers that think nobody in the pro pelotondoes drugs?The plain and simple truth is everyone does drugs!!! Its called”competitive advantage.”Ask yourself would you not create a competitive advantage over the personyou are racing against? Training will only make you even, take drugs andyou have the advantage. It comes in support of the sponsors.You’re only seen if you win, you get the big bucks when you win. Justwait a year or two we will find out the truth about Lance.Tim NixonGift of talent wasted on VDBRegarding VDB:What a waste.  So much potential, so little guidance.I would have given my left testicle to be able to have 1/4 of the talentthis guy had.  Hard
work and talent aren’t enough. He needed short cuts.  Now he isunemployed
and going to jail.What a waste!Michael Gacki
Category 2
Think Racing cycling team
NY, NYYou think VDB will take the rap and stay quiet?Dear Editors,This is not going to end on a good note (except Vandenbroucke’s expulsionfrom cycling).With all those drugs, there had to be more people involved either fromthe pro peloton or from local Belgium boys trying to make it. VDB willgo down fighting and taking whoever is around. This is a warning to theguys at Domo
-Farm Frites.Beware Johan.Ivan Solero
Philadelphia, PAWhat a letdownIf I were (Domo director) Patrick Lefevere, I’d spit in Frank’sface.What an idiot; what a massive letdown to the sport that needs a boostright now.The reticence of the sponsors when Vandenbroucke was signed was validand now we can see why.What a shame.Barron Stenger
Costa Mesa, CAI coulda told ya so. In fact, I didDear Editor;I recall writing a letter to VeloNews a couple of years ago whenFrank first had trouble with Sainz.  At the time I was insulted thathe would try to get off the hook by saying he was guilty of being naive. Uh huh, sure Frank, you were paying thousands of dollars for “homeopathic”substances from a guy commonly known to support doping.  Just howstupid do you think everybody is?
 
It’s now a few years later and he’s still in bed with the sameguy.  Amazing.  At least I no longer feel insulted.  NowI’m simply embarrassed for the sport.  “Homeopathic products Frank? Wink, wink, ok, we’ll let you go with a warning this time, but don’t getcaught.”  Sad, simply sad.
 
Does anybody else think that the UCI has a severe conflict of intereston their hands?  They are responsible for growing the sport. They are also supposed to be responsible for ensuring that doping doesn’toccur.  However, if a doping scandal occurs, it hurts their product. It sure would be convenient for them to look the other way whenever allegationsare raised.  Or to stay two to three years behind the curve of whatdrugs the peloton is currently using.You can’t have a doping scandal if everybody has moved on to drugs thatthe UCI can’t test for.  Right?  It’s absolutely pathetic thatit took as long as it did for them to approve a test for EPO.  (althoughjust imagine how long it would have taken USCF to do something, shudder)
 
This is ridiculous.  The UCI needs to crack down hard.  Enoughof these stupid patty cake suspensions.  Oh yeah, that’s right, thelawyers are concerned that a serious suspension won’t stand up becauseit hurts the guilty party’s ability to earn a living.  What a loadof crap.  They were guilty!  They broke the rules andthey have forfeited their rights to make a living in the sport.VDB needs to be booted out permanently.  He was given his “do-over”a couple of years ago.  He blew it.  And now he needs to be gone. Period.
 
Scott Lynch
Oakland, CAA simple solution for VandenbrouckeVDB is an idiot and should be banned for life.Paul BrubakerPerhaps it’s brain damage?I’m just wondering how many times these professional athletes must havehit their heads on the pavement and ski slopes. You would think that afterthe big doping scandal that occurred in the 1998 Tour they would have wizenedup a bit.If you do drugs, you’re gonna get caught sooner or later.First the cross-country skiers in the Olympics and now Frank, when willit end??? I’m just wondering when the sport changed from a sport and intoa business that required the athletes to believe that they had to dopeto stay competitive?I’m beginning to question whether anyone in the sport is still clean.I also wonder if they still feel a sense of accomplishment when they win?How could you when you know you didn’t win on your own accord.Jim Mullins
Akron, OhioA new career for VDB?What a loser! This guy is unbelievable! I think he should be fired,jailed, and made to talk to younger riders and athletes in general thatdrugs use does not pay.Some natural talent he turned out to possess. Perhaps we’ll see himtry his luck at the Kentucky Derby?Dave Leboeuf
Montreal, Qc,
CanadaNope, and this is why VDB doesn’t have green hairEditor;Regarding the letter, “Dyedin the wool dopers?” I made no comment during the women’s Downhillat the 2002 Olympic Winter Games that hair dye would mask performance-enhancingdrugs!Hair dye only provides one service – to mask ugly!Sincerely,
Tom Horrocks
Park City, UT
Alpine announcer for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games
 
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