I would love to hear your views on this letter, but before you respond, please note the following:
- Read the whole letter,
- If you think Greg is going overboard, then read a random Pat McQuaid interview,
- If you still think Greg is going overboard, then think how you would feel after calling out the truth in a desert of denial for a decade or longer,
- Don’t waste anybody’s time by discussing style, tone , word choice or even the person, tell me what you think of the points brought forward,
- That said, as you’re used to on these pages, all views are welcome.
Can anyone help me out? I know this sounds kind of lame but I am not well-versed in social marketing. I would like to send a message to everyone that really loves cycling. I do not use Twitter and do not have an organized way of getting some of my own “rage” out. I want to tell the world of cycling to please join me in telling Pat McQuaid to f##k off and resign. I have never seen such an abuse of power in cycling’s history; resign Pat, if you love cycling. Resign even if you hate the sport.
Pat McQuaid, you know damn well what has been going on in cycling, and if you want to deny it, then even more reasons why those who love cycling need to demand that you resign.
I have a file with what I believe is well-documented proof that will exonerate Paul.
Pat, in my opinion you and Hein are the corrupt part of the sport. I do not want to include everyone at the UCI because I believe that there are many, maybe most that work at the UCI that are dedicated to cycling, they do it out of the love of the sport, but you and your buddy Hein have destroyed the sport.
Pat, I thought you loved cycling? At one time you did, and if you did love cycling please dig deep inside and remember that part of your life — allow cycling to grow and flourish, please! It is time to walk away. Walk away if you love cycling.
As a reminder I just want to point out that recently you accused me of being the cause of USADA’s investigation against Lance Armstrong. Why would you be inclined to go straight to me as the “cause”? Why shoot the messenger every time?
Every time you do this I get more and more entrenched. I was in your country over the last two weeks and I asked someone that knows you if you were someone that could be rehabilitated. His answer was very quick and it was not good for you. No was the answer — no, no , no!
The problem for sport is not drugs but corruption. You are the epitome of the word corruption.
You can read all about Webster’s definition of corruption. If you want, I can re-post my attorney’s response to your letter where you threaten to sue me for calling the UCI corrupt. FYI I want to officially reiterate to you and Hein that in my opinion the two of your represent the essence of corruption.
I would encourage anyone that loves cycling to donate and support Paul in his fight against the Pat and Hein and the UCI. Skip lunch and donate the amount that you would have spent towards that Sunday buffet towards changing the sport of cycling.
I donated money for Paul’s defense, and I am willing to donate a lot more, but I would like to use it to lobby for dramatic change in cycling. The sport does not need Pat McQuaid or Hein Verbruggen; if this sport is going to change, it is now. Not next year, not down the road, now! Now or never!
People that really care about cycling have the power to change cycling — change it now by voicing your thought and donating money towards Paul Kimmage’s defense, (Paul, I want to encourage you to not spend the money that has been donated to your defense fund on defending yourself in Switzerland. In my case, a USA citizen, I could care less if I lost the UCI’s bogus lawsuit. Use the money to lobby for real change).
If people really want to clean the sport of cycling up all you have to do is put your money where your mouth is.
Don’t buy a USA Cycling license. Give up racing for a year, just long enough to put the UCI and USA cycling out of business. We can then start from scratch and let the real lovers in cycling direct where and how the sport of cycling will go.
Please make a difference. Greg
gerard.cc 
October 25, 2012 at 06:37
Nobody in their right mind could disagree with Greg. Hein & Pat would, but as I said…
October 25, 2012 at 06:41
This is a great idea. Grassroots protest, but why should it stop there? Why not have sponsors such as yourself do the same, but to a bigger effect. Pull you bank guarantee’s, don’t pay your ProTour license fee, don’t pay salaries to any rider who submits their 2013 license fee or races a UCI Pro Tour race, don’t confirm any race attendance or fee’s TILL he steps down.
Draw the line in the sand so huge everyone will see it and it will affect them big time.
October 25, 2012 at 06:42
I think Cancellara should write this on twitter: “I´m not gonna start Tour 2013 if McQuaid is not out of the UCI”
And several riders too. But they won’t, because they have too much to loose. Fuck them then…
October 25, 2012 at 06:47
Well, I would argue cycling doesn’t have anything to fear. Tomorrow morning, I do some work, then I dress up and go out. I don’t need pro cycling to enjoy the greatest sport in the world. I don’t even need a UCI sticker on my top tube to enjoy that ride!
That said, if i can have my cake and eat it too, I would love to watch a pro cycling scene I can love.
October 25, 2012 at 14:47
gerardvroomen, I agree wholeheartedly. I am a USAC license holder since 1994. I have written to Mike Plant at USAC asking him to do something about this at the UCI Management Committee meeting tomorrow (membership@usacycling.org). If something is not done I will not take out a USAC license in 2013. I am very happy to just ride my bike.
October 25, 2012 at 17:02
I would love to win the lottery…
October 25, 2012 at 17:37
OK, maybe I do more than just “some” work, if that’s what you mean.
October 26, 2012 at 00:50
No, what I mean is that for ex-riders it’s very easy to say whatever they want. Actual current riders are prostitutes, so they have to stay quiet, just like any other prostitutes. But if the prostitutes do not speak out, nothing it’s gonna change. They are the ones who have to talk, not Lemond or Merxck or Indurain…
October 25, 2012 at 06:52
I dont think macquid will resign, too much self interest vs cycling as a sport. Sadly the only way to get him out is sue. UCI has a responsibilty to the riders. They failed miserably. A class action of riders who felt they had no choice but to dope and riders who left because they refused to dope should sue Macquaid et al. That will force disclosure of everything and finally get rid of them.
October 25, 2012 at 06:53
beautiful…
October 25, 2012 at 07:05
Greg is right. Once you follow cycling for a while, read what McQuaid says, notice the difference between what he says and what happens…there is only one conclusion.
No place for McQuaid in Cycling. None.
October 25, 2012 at 07:05
everyone has their little foibles, Greg especially, but you absolutely have to respect his love of cycling. he’s genuinely passionate about the sport, and I have no doubt that he could bring down the UCI on his own right now if he wanted to. He just wants to share the fun w/o everyone else…
October 25, 2012 at 16:15
Joe apologize immediately. The,rules are don’t discuss Greg. You,sir are a major rule breaker. I thought you,told us you are a reformed person. Greg Lemond has more courage than 100 people. Stop it.
October 25, 2012 at 07:10
One thing I don’t know is how good/bad the UCI is re. quality of executive leadership in comparison to other international federations. I mean, you think UCI is bad when it comes to regulating the minutiae of bike design and sock height? Then read FIA’s ever-changing Formula 1 regs, like this new engine mandate for 2014 that’s costing the teams hundreds of millions of dollars to develop, when the commercial rights holder (FOM) wants the engine evolution stopped, b/c they fear the fans won’t like the sound of the new turbo-6s, vs. present day F1 v-8s (” The 2.4-litre V8 engines used since 2006 will be reduced to 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engines…”) wacky.
October 25, 2012 at 15:56
Yes, international sport federations are rife with megalomaniacs ons other loonies, but that shouldn’t keep us from ousting ours.
October 25, 2012 at 20:16
whoa, easy there. i didn’t say don’t try to oust the UCI leadership. I just wonder where they rank on the scale of terrible IntlFed-leadership…
October 26, 2012 at 00:48
Somewhat below FIFA and the IOC.
October 25, 2012 at 07:16
Greg needs to consider/mention the quality of (or lack therein) the UCI management committee, too. And that highlights a problem, that the way people are chosen/elected to the committee from federations all over the world, many of which don’t really see a problem b/c they’re not involved in the sport at the global level, but for the Worlds and the olympics if they’re lucky.
October 25, 2012 at 15:05
Agree. I believe it is management incompetence or even poor organization design that is at the root of the UCI. With these at work, Hein + Pat show could exist.
Regardless of view, Greg is proposing a re-org. How you do it is an open question but it needs to happen.
October 25, 2012 at 15:13
Hmmm….interesting point, however regardless of how badly the org lines were drawn, how pathetic the governance structure may be, culture is driven top down and it looks like Pat and co created a climate that has driven the wrong behaviours throughout their org. Even a well designed organisation could suffer the same fate with bad leadership.
October 25, 2012 at 20:18
I hear what you’re saying. I’m just suggesting that if you want change, you need to address the management committee, too. and the fact that the president is elected by NGB-heads who don’t necessarily have any alignment of interests/perspective w/ the fans, especially english-speaking fans.
Cheers.
October 25, 2012 at 07:17
I would love to see the grassroots ‘boycott’ that Greg is calling for. There is enough non-UCI sanctioned racing to keep someone of my meager abilities busy without having to buy a UCI license.
October 25, 2012 at 07:30
Finally, someone with clout has stated the obvious. Corruption is the key problem, not doping. That is not to say that it is the only problem or that it is the only cause of the doping problem, but without the endemic corruption the doping problem can be dealt with in a coherent fashion. Until corruption is rooted out of the UCI, or the UCI is replaced with a new governing body, the doping problem will always be with us.
October 25, 2012 at 07:31
PERFECT.
Time to clean house, if that means burning it – then so be it.
Off to make another donation.
October 25, 2012 at 07:32
How about Greg offers to leave the sport if Pat and Hein do? He’s corrosive in equally bad but different ways. He has done _nothing_ to proactively or constructively fix the sport. He’s only publicly bashed Lance and those who defend Lance.
He never came out and named Floyd, George, Levi, Jan, etc. Just the guy who risked his own glory and bank account. And who did he ever name from his own era? Fignon had admitted to drugs, never a comment from Greg.
I’m not a Lance fanboy. He’s guilty in my eyes and good riddance. But Greg is a petty vindictive whiner using doping as his “cause” to extract revenge.
Show me one shred of evidence that Greg gave of himself to clean the sport prior to Lance’s threat of fame stealing? Show me any of the other dopers targeted like Lance? Heck, he even defended Contador’s “tainted meat” theory!!!!!
So I’ll help Paul, lobby to eradicate Pat and Hein… If Greg goes too. Deal?
October 25, 2012 at 07:46
Couldn’t agree more and I guess there was no riders talking drugs when LeMond was riding. If the Head of WADA states that they were all taking drugs when Armstrong was why was that not the case when LeMond was or is Armstrong going to get the blame for introducing drugs to Pro Cycling, Drugs in cycling have been around since cycling started and I am sure they were there through LeMond’s racing.
October 25, 2012 at 14:28
Greg outlined a plan to fix doping years ago, publicly. Greg actually wrote “this is how we can fix it”; not just “this is how it’s broken.” I’d call that constructive criticism.
It wasn’t just a passing remark. It was published.
Procycling a few years ago.
His main idea was to separate drug testing from the UCI. This is still a good idea.
October 25, 2012 at 15:00
Sorry, but you are incorrect.
Greg named Landis too, for starters. Which is why Landis’ “agent” came after Greg by threatening to reveal the sexual abuse Greg suffered as a child, which in turn led to Greg pro-actively coming out with that and starting 1 in 6. I think most who have followed cycling in the past five years will remember at least part of this.
And as others mentioned, he has published plans on how to fix the problem, pushed to get Ferrari out of the sport, suggested anti-doping “testing” through performance indicators, etc, etc.
BTW, who peddled the petty, vindictive theory first? Exactly.
October 25, 2012 at 15:56
What Lemond did in the Landis case showed immense courage. And he has consistently shown courage for over a decade, never giving in to the fear of reprisal. He arguably had more to loose than anybody else for speaking the truth (his legacy, his bike brand, personal attacks). I would add that for all of the stakeholders quoted in the press lately that they “wish the USADA witnesses had told the truth sooner,” Lemond actually had the courage to tell Landis to tell the truth sooner, in “real time,” and for that he was repaid with the horrible reprisal that gerardvroomen mentions. Today is Lemond’s courage applauded by the UCI? No, he is treated as a pariah, just as other bearers of truth are treated: Landis is sued for defamation, Hamilton and Landis are called “scumbags” by McQuaid, Kimmage is sued for defamation, and Lemond is threatened with suit. Meanwhile Mr. McQuaid laments that he lacks “police powers” to compel testimony, yet he pointedly ignors witnesses who volunteer their testimony (e.g., Jörg Jaksche).
October 26, 2012 at 04:01
McQuaid methods are very similar to Armstrong methods. Bury the truth.
October 25, 2012 at 16:18
Go to hell You break the rules. So I don’t listen. The people with courage you defile. Where were you buddy.
October 25, 2012 at 07:36
The thing that concerns me is how can pressure be placed on these clowns without impacting the riders, teams, etc. While the stars might be able to say OK I’ll have a year off to put pressure on the UCI to change it’s harder to say that’s possible for everyone involved. Of course maybe the answer is a rebel league.
October 25, 2012 at 15:49
Why should it not impact the riders or teams? They have largely been silent?
October 26, 2012 at 03:47
I think it’s a bit of a Catch22 for the riders (especially the lessor ones) as they’ve seen what’s happened previously. That said it would be better if the teams started asking questions publicly. If a team like BMC or SKY had a press conference with management and the riders present that condemned the current situation then that would send a message and others might follow.
October 25, 2012 at 07:45
Along with freedom and the brief feelings of flight Greg LeMond is one of the reasons I got into road bikes. He is one of the most gifted cyclists of all time. I respect his courage and support his battles. As this saga unfolds I have begun entertaining the thoughts of stepping away from the little direct involvement I have with the UCI. This would mean no race license and not participating in Axel’s uci sanctioned fondo. I encourage others to do this and to voice to their national federation the reasons why.
Perhaps Greg could be encouraged to set up a change.org type online petition pushing for Pat to resign (and be replaced with Birdie ODonnell ;).
October 25, 2012 at 08:08
Greg Le Mond’s motives and intentions are passionate and honorable. Pat & Hein won’t resign, as they lack conscience and insight, and it seems they can’t be sacked as they are not accountable to anyone, except possibly to the IOC. The IOC doesn’t seem interested and probably doesn’t see the problem as Pat and Hein have used them as role models.
Donations to the Paul Kimmage fighting fund are a great way for cyclists to stand up and be counted, and the number of contributors is at least as important as the total amount – so even $5 is worthwhile. I think Paul does have to spend the money on his defence, in the first instance though.
It would be great if the teams could push their independent enquiry, but without UCI cooperation they probably won’t get far – for instance, very unlikely to get a look at the UCI accounts, emails, correspondence etc. However, the teams (just like the riders) have never stuck together on anything (except to protest getting busted at the ’98 TdF) and the UCI still has the whip hand wrt registration etc.
To force an outcome from the UCI requires threatening either their income streams or control over events on the international calendar.
To threaten the UCI’s income would take some unlikely brinksmanship and coordination by the cycling nations. Email/twitter firestorms to national and regional UCI representatives might at least get them worried about their own positions, but it would probably take sustained membership activism and participation to regenerate the relevant committees for the longer term.
I can’t help but agree that the TV rights are the key to the future, and ironically the UCI were the last ones to try and get at least part of them off the ASO. Since then, the ASO has acquired even more races and control of that income. Which really comes back to the teams and ASO working something out….
October 25, 2012 at 16:22
I agree. Look at how the IOC has already signaled they will totally overlook UCI transgressions Actually we should all be concerned by the written statement UCI made recently following the press release. It shows a legal channel where they and Armstrong might manipulate WADA and USADA. Beware an allegiance with UCI and lance legal team. It may not be over. Yes sounds paranoid but even paranoid people have enemies.
October 28, 2012 at 23:54
Maybe Greg needs to stay away from the Kimmage Defense Fund before this act of rebellion turns into an open and shut case of wire fraud. I’ve not seen a clear statement in a single location that explains the particulars of this fund raising campaign, but I have seen “Kimmage Defense Fund” bantered around very prominently on a lot of these blogs. I hope Kimmage has a good tax advisor, as well.
October 25, 2012 at 08:11
I think Chloe Hosking summed up Pat pretty well http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/hosking-takes-swipe-at-pat-mcquaid. An Irish mate of mine reckons a lot of the Kimmage/McQuaid hostility goes back to family rivalries in Ireland. He also says MQuaid is generally regarded as a buffoon.
October 25, 2012 at 08:36
Well, I think the same corruption exists in other sports as well, in FIFA for example, but that shouldn’t stop cycling to try and get a leadership they deserve. It’s time for a change!
October 25, 2012 at 09:19
Bringing down Pat McQuaid will be just as hard, if not harder, than bringing down Lance Armstrong. It will take the combined weight of the cycling community, pro rider association, teams, sports commentators as well as people within the UCI itself to push him to stand down. Don’t forget Hein though.. he’s still honorary President of the UCI.. So calls for his departure need to be just as strong and vociferous.
October 25, 2012 at 09:25
Greg is absolutely right. I’m delighted to see him taking an action.
October 25, 2012 at 09:41
Couldn’t of said it better myself! Yep F#@k off Pat, like that idea.
October 25, 2012 at 10:08
Plz Greg,i have a lot off respect for your cariere,i am from Kortijk,,was 30years in cyclingsport end close to he racers,I just ask you to stop just ataking the Armstrong generation end i dont wana say that you are noth clean,buth why noth talking alredy from the time from coppi,,Briek Schotte,ext ext,because the have no more blood from them to start the chase?
October 25, 2012 at 10:40
Awsome! Greg when you have something in your possession to help out Paul Kimmage, just do it! Let them dig their own grave at the swiss court!
October 25, 2012 at 11:02
I love that he reiterates that Pat and Hein are corrupt.
Cycling needs Greg more than ever at this point. Personally I’d love to see him on the board of the UCI or even running it one day.
I’m now looking forward to Pauls case in Switzerland if Greg is going to turn up with his dossier.
Change is a coming.
October 25, 2012 at 11:21
It’s become a crazy situation with McQuaid and Verbruggen heading the sport of cycling globally. Aren’t there supposed to be some elements of democracy in the government of this sport? LeMond is completely accurate in his assessment of the situation, I think. But I don’t understand how it can be that so little people from within the sport, be it riders, managers or sponsors don’t speak out about this issue. I’ve been puzzled by most rider’s apparent short term and short-sighted visions on the issues of Armstrong and the involvement of the UCI, and I’ve not seen many of these people say anything on the Kimmage case.
The only ones that seem to be interested are journalist, who are subsequently accused of being scandal-driven and/or get sued in the process, and fans like myself, who seem to be unable to speak with one voice and thus exert no sort of influence at all.
If Pat and Hein get their way, history will keep repeating itself, so people like LeMond and Kimmage deserve all the support they can get. In the light of my own inability to be more than a frustrated fan, I’ll just continue to love riding my bike and hope I’ll be able to watch the pro’s demonstrate how it’s done for many years to come.
October 25, 2012 at 16:03
There is one thing that you can do Anne. That is, don’t buy a bike with a UCI sticker on it. Part of the price of the bike goes to the UCI.
The bike brands of the Pro Tour better wake up before they experience a backlash. Myself, I never bought one particular brand because of its association with Armstrong; and, I am resistant to another brand because recently it pursued a doper with a personal contract for several million dollars. Lets remember that Armstrong’s (financial) power came from the resources that his sponsors gave him.
For bike brands taking ownership of a Pro tour team, you better make certain that you have a clean team otherwise your brand could become known as the doper’s choice.
October 25, 2012 at 12:39
It is fine to call for the resignation of McQuaid and the removal of Verbruggen as President and Honorary President respectively, in fact I agree wholeheartedly, but with whom do you replace them? There is no point in identifying a problem (which we think we have) if there is no solution to the problem. Nature abhors a vacuum. And while the removasl of the McQuaid/Verbruggen gong show has lots of traction in English language web sites and blogs, what are the feelings in other nations’ cycling populations? It would seem that the only way to remove McQuaid/Verbruggen is through the national federations, but other than a vocal minority(?) in the English speaking countries, is there any like interest in the other European countries? Africa? South America? Oceana? Asia?
October 25, 2012 at 17:41
That is no doubt an issue.
October 25, 2012 at 12:55
i agree with the sentiment. however if pat goes, who is to know if his replacement would be any better?
can we have absolute faith that greg raced his entire career pan y agua?
October 25, 2012 at 15:52
Faith is a judgment call. But as others have mentioned, some very powerful people have tried very hard to find evidence of Greg doping and not succeeded.
And no, we don’t know if any replacement is better. I’ve met very good people at the UCI, but many have left. That’s how it goes, an organization like that self-selects like-minded people.
October 25, 2012 at 16:31
IMO, there is at least an acknowledgement of responsibility and of failure in a resignation which would make it an honourable thing to do – if you’re the President of the UCI the buck stops at your desk.
After reading LeMond’s article, I decided the only thing I personally can do (as a mere cycling fan with no influence or acquaintances in the sport) is to start a brief and politely-worded petition for McQuaid to go. It would be nice to see it get at least a few signatures.
https://www.change.org/petitions/pat-mcquaid-president-union-cyclisme-internationale-accept-responsibility-for-the-institutional-failings-of-the-uci
October 25, 2012 at 16:25
You,are a thoughtful Person So I appeal to your intellect. There is a ton of evidence he was clean. His recorded scientific V02 max is 95 one of the highest of any athlete in history. Armstrong was 82. The arc of his career shows no doping. As an intermediate amateur at 14 he beat me and other senior pros! He won the world pro championship by minutes in early 20’s. his development as a TDF rider was gradual and steady not like a dopers profile.
And Paul Kimmage in a very personal and vulnerable interview with Greg where Greg and his wife Kathy openly discuss why Greg would never cheat. He was sexually abused as a child. He knew the horror of what abuse and keeping shame a secret. He and Kathy shared how it gave him determination to never defile or cheat anything or anyone. Cycling was his love and it must be clean and pure. You can hear the power in his message today. He actually cares about other people unlike those who pretend to like Armstrong.
October 25, 2012 at 17:10
you can google that entire interview and find your own thoughts about it as well
October 25, 2012 at 14:42
This is emotive and passionate stuff. Fair play to Greg for poking his head well and truly above the the parapet. However it occurs to me that unless our modern day stars get on board and take a stand (not just provide the occassional sound-bite for the media) this initiative will go nowhere. Personally I think the current Pros are relucatant to say anything negative about the UCI for fear of retribution, or perhaps they’re just following team orders. I’m absolutely amazed at Wiggo’s response yesterday, which seemed to amount to “lets just stop talking about it – that should it :)” – he seems completely ambivolent to the role the UCI played (or didn’t play!) in this scandal. To me, that speaks volumes about the Pro Peloton’s appetite for fundamental change. Personally I can’t see it happening. I hope history proves me wrong.
October 25, 2012 at 16:27
Boycott. Fan power. Power yields only to muscle not words. No buy Nike Nike change course. No go to TDF. ASO changes course.
October 25, 2012 at 19:11
Couldn’t agree with you more. What is really galling about this is that we all know that the Peloton is not clean today and every time we hear a vague soundbite response from a Contador or a Schleck, etc., or even worse, silence or a defence of the King, what we’re hearing is “I don’t want to rock the boat, because I’ve got a dirty past, present and hopefully future – I’m going to win another Grand Tour if I don’t rock the boat. But if I rock, the whole dirty truth comes out and then I’m done winning and I’m done earning my millions”.
What we need right now, is Garmin and Sky to stand up, take ownership of this Peloton and start applying the pressure. The time for clean riders to speak is now and they have to speak out against the tainted ones. How do we, the fans make that happen, well sadly the only way is to starve them and that means making sure there is no more money until they’re clean. As we don’t buy tickets for our sport, that means targetting the sponsors. Unfortunately we, as cycling fans, probably amount to no more than 1% of their income base, so it won’t work. That leaves targetting the secondary sponsors – the bikes, the helmets, the glasses, the clothes, the shoes – we can make a difference there, but do you want to enjoy your riding less to make a difference to the pro-peloton ? That leaves tuning out from the race coverage on TV and not attending the races in person. Goodbye pro-cycling if that happens, but it will not comeback in our lifetime if it did.
Basically, as fans, because of the income model of our sport, we don’t get much leverage. That, is the conundrum for us, so it’s over to you Brailsford, JV, Wiggo, Hesjedal, Cavendish, Froome, Millar, and every one of the known clean riders and staff that you can lay your hands on. Are you up for it ?
October 25, 2012 at 14:47
Greg should get on Twitter, he should get his word out there. And while he’s at it, is he up for the job–can he take on the sport and guide it into a new era?
October 25, 2012 at 15:54
He actually is on Twitter: https://twitter.com/greglemond
It’s just he doesn’t use it very much.
October 25, 2012 at 14:51
Armstrong tried his hardest to find evidence of LeMond doping. Couldn’t, in sport where there is not much honour, see how riders turned on Ricco, no one took up an alleged offer of 300,000USD to provide evidence of LeMond doping. I think that 20 years after his career ended not one shred of evidence has been forwarded about LeMond and doping screams that the guy was clean.
Chapeau Greg for your letter.
October 25, 2012 at 15:07
The world needs more people like Greg and Paul, people who have integrity, are passionate, and don’t care about rocking the boat for the greater good.
Greg is basically saying, for $15 and an empty belly for just one mealtime, you can stand by him and other lovers of cycling and move the sport forward, or choose to just watch on.
Me, I’m bringing my lunch in to work tomorrow and donating the money to Paul.
October 25, 2012 at 15:19
While I don’t believe Greg has always been clean, he certainly is right on this one.
October 25, 2012 at 20:23
The legacy of pervasive doping post Festina is that we trust no one. Research this and read here. Lemond is actually one of a few good men. Review the evidence.
October 25, 2012 at 15:19
Gerard, as a director of a junior team, I, more than most, have more to gain or lose in this struggle. The future of a lot of clean, ethical, responsible young men, depend in things changing at the UCI. I don’t see how it’s possible to fix it without the ousting of Pat McQuaid and Hein Verbruggen. Clearly Hein was complicit, Pat is either complicit or inept exercising monumentally bad judgment, or, more likely, a combination of both.
October 25, 2012 at 16:25
I’m surprised nobody is keying on the sponsors and their role in effecting change. Everyone shuddered when Rabo pulled out. Think if that happened on a grand scale. The teams in this sport (like NASCAR) are sponsor reliant. If sponsors threatened to pull out en masse unless there was change at the top, things would happen quickly.
As mentioned in a comment above, I agree that the way forward is a revenue share based on broadcast rights. From my experience in NASCAR, this is what brought the sport together when NASCAR leadership organized the competing financial interests of each race promoter and created a new broadcast rights model that gave 65% to the promoters, 25% to the teams, and 10% to the sanctioning body. The fighting stopped, and the last two rights packages were in the Billions. Creating a similar model for cycling would work, but there are at least two impediments: the leadership at the UCI is not capable of pulling this off; and the ASO arguably has more power due to their current race and broadcast assets. Cycling needs a leader that can manage the egos and help folks see the big picture.
What to do? Create a sponsor/funding crisis; host a summit with representatives from IOC, ASO, UCI, and NGBs; elect/appoint new leadership at UCI; draft new revenue model (to ASO’s chagrin) that spreads the wealth for the growth and sustainability of the sport.
October 25, 2012 at 17:07
well said. important ideas
October 25, 2012 at 16:27
Greg LeMond has always shown courage and has never been afraid to speak out-Chapeau Greg!
October 25, 2012 at 16:33
Lemond is right — I love the comment that doping is not the problem … corruption is! Landis said it best – Let it burn!
October 25, 2012 at 16:57
It’s sad that Armstrong was the reason that Trek terminated its relationship with LeMond over LeMond’s anti-doping comments. Is Trek ever going to apologize to LeMond?
October 25, 2012 at 17:06
Boycott Trek until they apologize, and retract their recent missives, which give misinformation in addition to no responsibility. And until they and all companies quit profiting from LIvewrong.org. Livestrong must take LA off board, disavow the wrong message that being macho makes one survive cancer, and contribute to research. All those companies pretend to be pro cancer assistance but actually profit from this, not altruism
October 25, 2012 at 17:10
We have British Cycling stating they are committed to clean cycling and Brailsford intent on implementing his version. If this is the case let us hope tomorrow they vote to oust both parties and start afresh. Where there is a will there is a way.
Agree with Gerard I don’t need a sticker to tell me I am participating in the greatest sport in the world. I watch the pros and share with my sons the fun of watching human endeavour – corruption and drugs bad life examples.
Thanks to all posters above – as my sons always say” we may be small but we are many”
Enjoy your ride wherever you are
October 25, 2012 at 17:29
I read Greg’s letter this morning and cheered, as I did back in ’85, ’86, ’89 and ’90 … F off P & H.
It has the ring of truth and the hope for cleanising.
Cycling needs a strong leader … Go Greg!
October 25, 2012 at 20:25
Gerard. What about you and all writers team managers journalists all standing fast with Kimmage. Donating en masse. A writing editorials. Putting on pressure.
October 25, 2012 at 21:52
LeMond is right. The most damning quote for me was the one that Dick Pound claims Verbruggen made in the Aussie sports show about BigTex. When the honorary head and former president of the UCI blames doping on the fans who will not accept a TdF run at 25 kph…there’s no more to say. I donated to the Kimmage fund early and hope that upcoming circus, along with the continuing fallout from the BigTex scandal will finally force the UCI into a leadership role against doping – and that means getting rid of the two long term enablers at the top.
October 25, 2012 at 22:31
Is it possible that what Hein, McQuaid, and some racers, managers, doctors MOST fear is the immunity granted to Armstrong for a reopened fraud case to turn states evidence on all of them? Just saying.
October 26, 2012 at 21:37
I doubt US prosecutors care about any of the people you mention.
October 26, 2012 at 02:10
Following on from my previous contribution, and the comments above, maybe the elements of a solution are not so far away:
Greg’s letter, Kimmage’s case, Ashenden’s “follow the LA donation” piece, and increasing journalistic and public awareness of UCI hypocrisy;
Letters to UCI from the Dutch Cycling Federation (KNWU), & Cycling Australia (to much lesser extent);
Positions of USADA & WADA;
Statement by the AIGCP (teams association); and
Prudhomme’s/ASO’s wish to promote the Movement for Credible Cycling (MPCC)
Between Greg & the Dutch Federation, there may be enough to take out Hein and Pat. The UCI then needs to restructure & devolve anti-doping responsibilities (and race organising in China…)
If the teams could cuddle up to the ASO through the MPCC they might threaten the relevance of the UCI (“the stick”). They could organise a new broadcast rights deal and offer the “new” UCI a cut as “the carrot” for adequate reform. The ASO must fear that the current situation threatens their income and asset value. Growing the “size of the pie” of broadcast rights income, with improved governance and promotion, would increase their own income, even if they have to share.
Bottom line:
1) Pat & Hein have to go – go Greg, Wintels, Ashenden, Kimmage & journo’s!
2) UCI can’t do anti-doping investigations & them taking more money from the teams for more testing is ridiculous
3) New broadcasting rights deal negotiated between teams & ASO
October 26, 2012 at 21:44
I wouldn’t like to see ASO take over, they control too much already. Remember they axed Patrice Clerc when he began to speak of reforms, which shows that ASO values profit over sporting values. Maybe not to the extent of the crooks at the UCI, but they’re far from squeaky-clean in this mess.
October 26, 2012 at 04:39
Good idea above. The NYT is publishing many editorials, confessions, etc. from pro cyclists or those in the business. I’m sure they’d consider publishing a not from Gerard.
Gerard, why do you not sign up for a Twitter account. It takes about 30 seconds and is free cost? Get your message out and once the purpose is complete, delete your account.
Cheers
October 26, 2012 at 04:54
he has one
October 26, 2012 at 21:45
Why would I delete an account with many followers? I’m not a Tour de France winner!
October 27, 2012 at 17:14
I think we should not try to fight the Irish Secret Meateater head on. He has more pride and ego than a 1980,s B movie lead muscle actor. We have to be more intelligent than that:
One idea would be to ask our federations to pass a amendment to the UCI charter; “To be a member of UCI governing body, you must not have been banned from competing by the UCI, IOC or any national federation for doping, a cheatin’ or other offences”.
I have to fing one for the Hein…
October 29, 2012 at 01:03
Point by point:
Point 1 – Greg is not well versed in social marketing.
Appears to be true, but surrogates abound!
Point 2 – Pat McQuaid is abusing his power and should resign.
Appears to be true, but then what?
Point 3 – Pat McQuaid is aware of “what has been going on in cycling”, and because he denies it, people who love cycling should demand that he resign.
I think that he’s insinuating that a grand bargain existed between dopers and the governing body, but to me it was de facto and that is plainly obvious. The evidence of UCI complicity with dopage is the hematocrit limit negotiations from the 1990’s. Like Pat, everyone at WADA also knows what has been going on in cycling, because they have all the testing data. He’s not calling for WADA to be revolutionized. I see what Greg is saying, but of course the UCI will deny that it shirked its responsibility. Pat doesn’t deny that doping happens or did happen in the sport. He denies that he or the UCI is at fault. See the next point…
Point 4 – Greg has a file with proof that he believes will exonerate Paul (Kimmage).
This statement appears to contradict point 1 above. Social media will be all aflutter discussing the mysterious file…what could be in it!?! Seriously Greg, why have you been keeping the smoking gun from everyone?
Point 5 – Greg believes Pat and Hein are corrupt, not the rest of the UCI.
I agree that they do what they do for their own self-interest, but I can’t say for sure they are “corrupt” since I’ve not seen what’s in Greg’s mysterious file. However, if they admit or are somehow proven to be “corrupt,” then I think the rest of the UCI is guilty by association. On this point, technically I guess I disagree with Greg. The kings’ courts must go with Pat and Hein, so “Bye-Bye-UCI”™
Point 6 – Greg believes Pat and Hein have destroyed the sport.
This is obvious hyperbole, but I get it. As we all know, the sport is more than just these two guys and more than just road racing. The sport of cycling is not exactly extinct, so I disagree with Greg on this technicality.
Point 7 – Pat McQuaid should walk away from cycling if he loves it.
If you love something, set it free…touché, cliché. I think the opposite is a stronger statement; McQuaid should only stay if he hates cycling!
Point 8 – Pat McQuaid shoots the messenger every time.
Greg obviously would know.
Point 9 – An unnamed person who “knows” Pat McQuaid said “no” in response to a question regarding Pat McQuaid’s potential for “rehabilitation”.
That’s fine, but on most televised courtroom dramas this is where a lawyer would object to “hearsay”. Also, who cares what some guy in McSorely’s Pub thinks of Pat McQuaid, unless his name is Kimmage, in which case…what was the question?
Point 10 – The problem with “sport” is corruption, not drugs.
If he means corruption of innocence or corruption of character or corruption of governance brought about by a culture of doping that was encouraged and concealed by leaders in the sport, either directly or by looking the other way, then I agree that corruption is a big problem. But “the” problem we are discussing is, was, and always will be the problem of doping, no?
Point 11 – Reiteration and expansion of point 5 to define Pat McQuaid as the epitome of corruption. Ergo Pat McQuaid is the problem with “sport”.
It’s Greg’s logic, so I will let him have it.
Point 12 – Reiteration and expansion of points 5 and 11 and to include Hein with Pat McQuaid as representative of the essence of corruption.
More Greg logic, so I’ll let it stand, but we need to see Greg’s “Kimmage Exoneration File” to be sure.
Point 13 – Monies donated to Paul Kimmage are effectively donations to bring change to the sport of cycling.
The monies go directly to Paul Kimmage with one string attached thanks to US wire fraud statute, namely that Paul spends the funds on his own legal defense in the action brought by UCI. Anyone claiming otherwise is not telling the whole truth, or is trying to set himself, Paul, Cyclismas, NYVelocity, and many others up for wire fraud charges. Sorry Greg, but this insinuation is wishful thinking at best. If you are donating to the fund because someone promotes the fund as anything other than the legal defense of Paul Kimmage, then you may have a case that you were defrauded.
Point 14 – Greg has some amount of money that he is willing to donate to Paul’s defense fund, unless it could be better spent to “lobby for dramatic change in cycling.”
I am starting to wonder what will happen to this cash when the UCI drops its case, and obviously so is Greg. I wonder where he wants to spend these thousands of “lobbying” dollars in support of his call for “dramatic change.” Is it social media advertising? Is it dinner and dancing with Mazen Al-Kafri and the other Asia delegates? So many options!
Point 15 – Cycling does not “need” Pat or Hein.
True.
Point 16 – Impending “change” to the sport is imminent, unless it is not imminent, in which case it will never occur.
Greg is passionate and his demands require a shared sense of urgency. Rahm Emanual was more succinct when he said, “You never want a serious crisis to go to waste.”
Point 17 – “People who care about cycling have the power to change cycling.”
Yes, well said, but those people may not care about change for change sake.
Point 18 – Greg implores those who self-identify as people who “care” about cycling to voice their thoughts and donate money to Paul Kimmage.
The “defense” fund is apparently in the process of being repurposed if you check the cyclismas website. I’m not sure they need any more money to play around with over there, or they might get into serious trouble. No thanks.
Point 19 – Reiteration of point 14 by direct appeal to Paul Kimmage for use of “defense” funds to “lobby” for “real change” instead of spending those funds on his defense in Swiss Court against defamation claims.
FYI, from my understanding of the lawsuit, it looks like Kimmage’s “defense” fund has reached a level that covers more than twice the cost of any penalties stemming from Hein and Pat’s animous: 8,000 CHF each for Hein and Pat + court / plaintiff legal costs + cost to publish the court’s ruling internationally (= ~$17,000 + ~$12,000 + ~$6,000) or about $35,000 in round numbers if he “pulls a Lance/Landis” and decides to NOT defend himself. This cost could be more if I’m leaving something out, or less if some international publications donate a few column inches to print the ruling. Anyway, the UCI stated recently that the lawsuit against Kimmage is on hold indefinitely. Where the $84,000 (as of today) will go seems to be up for grabs. It’s not a huge sum, but why keep feeding it when you don’t know where it’s going?
Point 20 – The people who talk about cleaning up the sport of cycling can only actually clean up the sport by providing financial resources.
I’d appreciate it if you took me to dinner before you fucked me. No more money from the grass roots, until we know where it’s going…if you paid attention to the occupy wall street thing you’ll know what I’m getting at…a bunch of passionate people lacking a meaningful shared purpose or goal beyond calling for “change”…some smart people need to describe the next chapter of governance if they think there’s a better way forward.
Point 21 – The “real lovers in cycling” can gain control of the sport by bankrupting the UCI and USAC and then determining a new direction and structure for the sport.
Bankrupt USAC and then cobble something together from the wreckage? That’s a dick move. I’m a proponent of incremental change and the profound colloquialism that you catch more flies with honey than you do with vinegar.
Don’t get me wrong, radical change and revolution have their place especially regarding noble causes. Greg is passionate, but this is professional bicycle road racing not oppression of freedom.
Why doesn’t Greg just run for election to USAC’s Board or for UCI president himself? Get inside Greg!
THE END
October 29, 2012 at 20:15
Maybe he will run for president. I hope he does, although I don’t really wish that job on people I like.
October 31, 2012 at 20:20
Gerard
Writing style,syntax and the turn of a phrase have nothing to do with Greg’s essential message. It is like you asking if I like apple pie. The USADA investigation and insider revelations like those in the Secret Race make it abundantly clear the UCI is corrupt and that Verbruggen and McQuaid were/are at the helm while this corruption was taking place.
It is immaterial whether of not McQuaid is personally corrupt. As head of the organization he must resign.
August 5, 2019 at 20:44
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