Dear VeloNews;
While I think it is great that Georgia has it's own world-class stagerace (see "Tourde Georgia signs title sponsor"), I was a bit bummed to learn thismorning that Athens has been removed from the list of host cities.The Tour de Georgia has the same weekend that the now-famous Twilight Criterium has always had, and the Twilight was working with Tour de Georgia to become a stage of the race. Tour de Georgia told everyone that Athens was oneof the host cities(in fact, the route map on www.tourdegeorgia.org still has Athens as a host city).As of yesterday, they have replaced Athens with Gainesville and effectivelykilled one of the best races in America.  Even VeloNews hasheralded Twilight as "The number one criterium in America."  How didthe cities of Dalton (the start of the stage) and the small town of Gainesville(the new finish of the stage) become more important than Athens--home tothe University of Georgia and the 25-year-old biggest criterium in thenation? (see relatedstory)The American pro teams and the 30,000 fans that watch Twilight everyyear will miss this classic. Oh well, maybe the cat 3 race will beexciting.
 
I prefer to remain
"an anonymous Georgia resident"Yes, yes to Jimena
Dear Editors;
I couldn't agree more with your North American Award for Woman MountainBike Racer of the Year (see "VeloNews'sNorth American Award")!Jimena had an awesome year in 2002! None of her races were a fluke.She did great and deserved to win the NORBAs XC Series!Kris Mach-Urillo
Southington, CTChoice of Cipo’
Editors;
I absolutely agree! (see "VeloNewsAwards: Cipollini named International Cyclist of the Year")The man is a stud and makes cycling exciting and entertaining. I missed his presence at the Tour de France and want his team to return next year.Angela BrantleyThe poll numbers support the choice
Editors;
Just the fact that you're online readers' poll (see results of "Whois your International Cyclist of the year?") is close between Cipoand Lance suggests you should give it to Cipo, considering Lance is Americanand a few years ago most Americans had never even heard of Cipo.Just a thought.Steve MalukRoll with it
Editors;
I say that Bob Roll can pronounce Tour de France however he wants to(see Greg Goth's letter "Pronunciation that annoys" in Tuesday's mail,below).When you finish that race, you can say it how you want to as well. Just my two cents.Aside from that, Bob Roll is just downright funny. I loved the Trek commercials from earlier this year, and his commentary and ability to communicate with the riders in their own languages from his years in the European peloton makes him the best American commentator out there.Tom Arsenault
Chapel Hill, NC
USAIf you build it, they will whine
Editors;
Your Thanksgiving Rant hit the nail on the head (see "O'Grady'sThanksgiving rant"). Yes, the Crit round the pit would be a success,especially if you say the prize list is all cash. But no matter how much ison the line -- it doesn't matter -- they'll still complain.Paul
Morgan Stanley Cycling Team
Nor. Cal.Get rid of the inserts
Editors:
I have been a die-hard VN reader for the past 13 years.For the most part I am very satisfied with your publication. My onegripe (which seems to be more prevalent in recent months) is that you insiston including these 40-page inserts that are cemented to the already fragilepages of the magazine. The result is that while I'm in sitting on the thronetrying to catch up on the latest tech gadgets, I inevitably end up tearingthe s**t out of the page trying to throw the damn thing away.Are you guys really that hard up for cash that you have to subject usto these advertising novellas each issue?Brad Walker
Newton, MACredit where credit is due
Attention;
Magen Long rode for Specialized only on mountain bikes this year aswell as last year’s cyclo-cross nationals.On the road this year, as well as most of the cyclo-cross season last year, she rode for the Bicycle Store Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Thank you.

Jimmy Mueller
The Bicycle Store
Oklahoma City

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Tuesday's MailBut he's a twit!
Dear VeloNews,
I can not believe you chose Robbie McEwen for 'male road racer of the year' (see "VeloNews's International Awards for 2002").

While he got the Green jersey at the Tour and won some races, he showed a complete lack of class, arrogance, and a maturity level that shows him lacking! Cipo on the other hand better represents what cycling is all about!

Larry Reeve
Breckenridge, Colorado

Editor's note: And we did give Cipollini our highest award: International Cyclist of the Year. (see "VeloNews Awards: Cipollini named International Cyclist of the Year")

Cipo' is the man
Dear VeloNews;
Like Michael Schumacher, Mario Cipollini is a consummate artist/athlete who we have all been blessed to witness.

Kudos to the VeloNews team for honoring Mario.
Regards,

Tony Zito
Ft. Lauderdale

The old college try
Editors;
It is unbelievable that you would choose Colorado over Berkeley (see "COLLEGIATE TEAM OF THE YEAR in VeloNews's North American Awards"). The scrappy no budget team rode circles around Colorado at Nationals and embodied the collegiate spirit -- crashing on the floor 10 to a room, no coaches, no mechanics, just a lot of enthusiasm.

Colorado being more well rounded? You can't make that claim until after Cross nationals. Of course, you really have to give the nod to the entire Western Conference, whose riders won so many medals and jerseys that the awards ceremony was accompanied by chants of "West Coast! West Coast! West Coast!" You guys missed out on the real Collegiate story of the year -- the sportsmanship, camaraderie, and continuing resurgence of the Western Conference. Colorado had a great year and were worthy opponents, but you really should have givencredit where credit was due.

Gen Kogure
Berkeley, California

Mercury sinking
Editor;
Great job on your picks. I agree with all but one.

The Mercury team does deserve recognition, but it's too bad that John Wordin has not been fired for all the crap he has pulled on his riders. Talkto Trent Klasna and Chris Horner and many others about him. Hopefully Hot Wheels wont put up with his crap.

Keep up the good work.

Mike Jennings
Master racers U.S. national MTB team.

A happy reader
Editors;
Bravo

Eric Shuvit

Incompetence, mismanagement, and indifference
Editors;
I just finished reading Patrick O'Grady's editorial (see "O'Grady's Thanksgiving Rant"), and for the most part, it's right on the money. O'Grady forgot to include incompetence, mismanagement, and indifference as reasons why organizations have left to form their own associations. This is one of many reasons why California Bicycle Racing (CBR) was formed in 2002: why pay money to interact with an apathetic bureaucracy when it can be done better, faster, and cheaper?

It's been extremely challenging in Southern California for CBR to succeed because, unlike the other associations, our district representative was never terminated; she was promoted to remain as the regional coordinator. The USAC foothold is a bit stronger in So Cal, plus it didn't dent their wallet when no other cycling organization alternative was presented to the racers up until this year.

CBR's goal is to encourage new riders to become racers (grow the sport), keep racing costs to a minimum, and to give racers a voice in the destiny of the sport they love... things that have been ignored for a long time.

Christopher Lotts,
Executive Director
California Bicycle Racing

Never mind the bullocks...
Editors;
Great! You did it again by publishing one of Stik's misguided diatribes against the ONLY working member of the North American press not afraid to call a bullock what it is (see "Dump O'G puhhleeeeze!" in Monday's mail - below).

Hey, Stik, while you were busy throttle-twisting this past off-season someone was out there working to make the rest of us find the humor in this sport we call cycling.

As a wise person once said: "If you can't laugh at yourself, who can you laugh at?"

Craig, take a piece of advice from a fellow Cali homeboy: laugh. You might find that it would make your life a lot more enjoyable. I know it does for me.

James Darlow
Sacramento, CA

Pronunciation that annoys
Editors
Patrick forgot one important award: the Berlitz Award for torturing the French language to the beloved Bob Roll and his insistence on saying the “Tour day France.”

Greg Goth
Oakville, CT

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Monday's mail
"Final toast" incomplete

Dear VeloNews;
Cannondale's "FinalToast" web page is a classy tribute to the team - except for one majorinsult: the elimination of Missy Giove's name from the roster. They counther numerous top finishes in their totals, but then forget her name - certainlyone of the most memorable ones in racing.At least the Volvo car company has the courtesy to name Missy on theirown tribute page. Funny how an automobile company can know more aboutbicycle racing (and manners) than Cannondale. Funny, too, how little thingslike this can make people buy a Bullit instead of a Gemini.I certainly hope that Team Sports is able to find new and more enlightenedsponsorship for next year.Paul SpencerWhere's Missy?
Editors;
I'm really dissapointed that Cannondale didn't include Missy Giovein their final salute to the Volvo-Cannondale racing teams. Come on Cannondale!Sure she's a little unique but her results while racing for Cannondalespeaks for itself.Screw Cannondale!!!Johnny Ringo
Southern, CAEditor's note: We forwarded both letters to Cannondale andreceived a quick response:C-Dale errs on the side of caution
Dear VeloNews;
We would have loved to have included Missy Giove in thetribute, and we fully acknowledge the fantastic contribution she made tothe team. However, you'll have to forgive us for being a little prudent...About three years ago, Missy's dad/manager Ben Giove decided to sueus for something like $2,000,000.  The suit is still dragging on,and it continues to take up time and money we'd rather devote to otherthings.  Much of the case has already been dismissed, and we are waitingfor a decision as to what's left.All that being said, we still wanted to include Missy in the tribute. Again, we recognize everything she did to make the team what it was. But since the lawsuit is still dragging on, we decided it wouldn't be smart to use her name without her permission.  Since we don't know why she sued in the first place, the chance of stirring up more controversy just didn't thrill anyone....So, our marketing v.p. Scott Montgomery called Missy and left her avoice-mail explaining the tribute idea and asked for her to please getback to us. She never returned the call, so we were left with two uncomfortablechoices - neither one of which thrilled us - and we opted to be cautious.I hope that sheds a little light on Missy's exclusion from the tribute,and that you won't judge us too harshly in light of the somewhat extraordinarycircumstances.Regards,Tom Armstrong
CannondaleDon't dump O'G

Dear VeloNews;
I go to your web site almost every day. If I ever find that O'Gradyhas been denied the right to publish articles on your web page I will likelyhave a hernia. Not to mention, I will stop going to your site. The manis to cycling journalism what Cipo’ is to road racing; a breath of freshair.His 'Biggest Midget in the Room' award (see “The2002 O'Grady Awards”) nearly sent a bite of my lunch out throughmy nose.Long live O'grady!Nick WeiseDump O'G puhhleeeeze!
Editor
“Oh god, I love O’Grady, hes so great, he pisses pure gold I bet. I think every time he sneezes he cures someone of cancer, he is just amazing, keep him coming. God damn he is the best thing since the remote control, oh my god, I just cant say enough great things about him, if velonews fires him, I will just have to cancel my sub, ohhhh, he is so great.”Does that sound familiar?, it should, it is just like all the fluffy letters you print on the site about him. Someone in the office must have major validity issues about keeping him around.Craig "Stikman" Glaspell
Editor’s note- No worries. We like to print hate mail, too, Craig.Thomas comment off base
Dear VeloNews,I was utterly appalled at the article written by Patrick O'Grady onyour web site concerning Tammy Thomas. It was truly a classless, tastelesspiece of mud slinging at one of America's greatest female track cyclists.I am surprised that a publication such as yours would print such anitem. You should be ashamed of yourselves! Please tell me what the purposewas of printing this article? Presenting the facts (see "Thomasreceives lifetime suspension for second positive") of a situation is appropriate for a news publication; making juvenile non-factual remarks (see “The2002 O'Grady Awards”) is not.Greg Jackson
Coral Springs, Florida
Over compensation?
Editor;
I 've always heard that Aussie men were a pugilistic bunch. Probablybecause they are so afraid of losing their womenfolk to the more-refinedmen in the rest of the world. Seems Mr. McEwen has a fear of coming upshort---in more ways than one.Mike AndersonO’Grady for what?
Editor;
God I love this guy, the only one who makes sense.O'Grady for president!Margaret BrownToot, toot
Editor;
Saint Patrick is correct in that Tammy Thomas is not working as a NYCtugboat. She is reported to be seeking work in NYC's meat packing districton the lower West Side. She has several serious offers to consider andshould be signing a sponsorship deal in the coming week.You can expect to see her making meat deliveries to your favorite Greekcoffee shop in the coming weeks. Smile and say, "Cheese Bourger."Brian Lafferty
Longmeadow, MAAn O’Grady Thanksgivin’
Editor;
Forget the turkey and punkin' pie - just keep the O'Grady coming!Ray McCoy
Newton NCThat face on TV?
Editor
The 02' O'Grady's were great. I wish you could put a two-hour showtogether for OLN. Ratings would beat that thing that happens in July!Keep up the fight.Anthony PintoEven funny when he’s wrong
Editor;
Patrick has done it again and I am sure there will be many who wouldlike to see him castrated and berated for his "opinions," but I have togive it to him again for being correct when he is and funny when he is...and even a little funny when he's wrong.The guy should be caged and forced to drink decaf for a week or two,just so he can hear and understand what the masses will say. This willhave a two-pronged effect; 1) It will let him see that people actuallydo read what he writes, for better or worse and 2) It will give him furtherfire to keep doing the madness that he does.Love him or hate him, he should get to stay in view... that way we knowwhat he's up to!Tim Jackson
San DiegoWants more
Editor;
The worst thing about the '02 O'Grady awards? That there weren't moreof them. Multo bene!Trey Spencer
Manchester VTWhat about Tilford?
Editors:
What about Steve Tilford? Still gets the masters MTB gold medal andstill steals a few pro crits, not to mention mtb races, iron otters.Michael RothOh where oh where was Wherry?
Hello VeloAmigos,I am writing to express my regrets that Wherry did not receive the "RIDEOF THE YEAR " (see "VeloNews'sNorth American Awards"). When Greg LeMond (among many others) callsWherry's Breck victory "one of the most emotional wins I've ever seen,"I think you've got to listen up. That Dionne fella rode a good race inSF, and maybe give him a nod somewhere else...but Breck's a harder race,and Wherry won it in far more challenging circumstances.I mean, did any of you feel like crying when Dionne crossed the linein SF? I was in Alaska and had to read about Wherry's victory on some second-ratewebsite and I still got choked up. Tears at a bike race are pretty rare,so when they come, you know you've seen something special.Given the weight that my opinion carries over there, I expect to seea full retraction of the award in the next issue and my boy Wherry on thefront page.Rob CoppolilloEditor's note: Rob, we'd like to point out that we didname the Saturn classic the "BEST DAY OF RACING" due in no small part toWherry's great ride that day.The journal of record
Editors;
Thanks for the great quotes and keeping track of what everyone saidduring the year! (See "VeloNewsAwards: The best quotes of 2002")Todd ShapiroAlison my top choice, too
Editors;
Alison has been a huge part of this sport and a big part of this smallenclave of cyclists of Colorado since she began in college, in all thattime she has been extremely upbeat, thrilled to be racing bikes and alwayscapable of doing her best effort in spite of adversity.She always has fun and does her best. Off the bike she is a genuineand kind person with a willingness to inspire anyone around her. I haveadmired and enjoyed her performance as and athlete, and am greatly honoredto have her as a friend, and a sister to my children, both she and herhusband Greg are exceptional as athletes and quality human beings Thanksfor recognizing her as the female athlete of the year! (see "VNAwards: Dunlap North American female cyclist of the year").O' Grady insists on continually making me laugh out loud at ourselvesand our sport ! Cling though we may to serious cycling and ll it's joys,it's weird and goofball side is just as important. We have lots of greatexample and then we got your psycho-silly-man at loose in the press. Thanksso much for the laughter.Tim
@balanced rock bike and ski

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