roadcx.net

I might be rowing against the tide on this, but I am not in support of this “let Levi ride” idea. It sounds like wining to me and honestly he should have known better if going to the Tour was important to him. As for this idea that they are being kept out (as if it were a right), they are not being invited, there is a difference… It is really up to the ASO (as well as any promoter) to determine which teams can ride. If they want to field 20 French teams, they can. Is it a good idea for the race as a worldwide promotion vehicle?, probably not.

I personally have a hard time trusting Astana as an organization despite how much “reorganizing” the have done. As for fairness (what about High Road, formally T-mobile and Rabobank, etc)? Again, ASO is a business and they can do what they want. The grand tours did not buy into the Pro Tour idea and to expect them to pick up all or any particular Pro Tour team is ridiculous.

The petition is not a bad idea, but I, for one, will not sign it. I won’t think any less of someone for signing it… I just don’t agree with the idea. What about “let Alberto ride?” Didn’t he win last year?

Looking at the schedule, here is is what is next for me:

• 6/23 - 6/24: Tour de Louisiane (Covington, LA)
• 6/30 - 7/01: Marx & Bendorf / Smith & Nephew Grand Prix (Memphis, TN)
• 7/14 - 7/15: Tour le Fleur (Jackson, MS) This might be canceled since it disappeared off the LAMBRA site. CANCELLED
  
• 7/21 - 7/22: Rocket City Race Weekend (Huntsville, AL)

I mapped out some routes on the Map My Ride website: [profile] This is a really slick website. My only complaint is that it does not track the roads well, so I turn that option off. It tends to do crazy things when clicking near boulevards.

With increasing coverage of doping admissions and non-admissions, etc. It is becoming difficult to get too excited about Pro racing. I still watch all that Versus has to offer. I would much rather be out there competing even at my low level (Cat 4) than waiting for another press conference / mea culpa.

As I write this, I am watching the coverage of the Dauphiné Libéré. Vino won the final stage with probably the loosest helmet straps I have ever seen on someone not riding a city bike. There must be about 2″ of slack flapping the breeze. What good is a helmet in that case?