As Astana’s Johan Bruyneel celebrates another grand tour victory, it’s appropriate that I welcome the latest sponsor to CBR: Lincoln Square’s The Book Cellar, which on June 20 will host Bruyneel as he discusses his new book, “We Might as Well Win: On the Road to Success with the Mastermind Behind a Record-Setting Eight Tour de France Victories.” The reading starts at 7 p.m. at 4736 N. Lincoln Ave.

Bruyneel will also be speaking in Milwaukee on June 19 at Schwartz Bookshop, 2559 N. Downer Ave., right on the famous Downer Avenue course used during Superweek.

Marcus Moore of Yojimbo’s Garage, the city’s preeminent source for track and fixed-gear bikes, is starting a program to get city youth on the track. With some help from the Chicago Cuttin’ Crew, Track Cats will provide instruction and guidance to boys and girls who want to race track. The team will make its Northbrook debut Friday, June 13.

I think this is fabulous. Our juniors fields aren’t exactly overflowing, and Chicago has hundreds if not thousands of young athletes who could become great cyclists if given the right resources and opportunities.

Chicago high school students interested in the program should e-mail Marcus.

UPDATE: Marcus sends this addendum: “I must give props to Nicole Kemerer who was (and still is) a major driving force, as well as Brean Shea, Alex Wilson, Sarah Miller, Lindsay Jones, Chuck Cox, Charlie Short and a number of others who have been working on this for a couple months now.  We’ve had two practices and plan on having a couple/week in the city for easy access for kids and parents.

“Yojimbo’s Track Cats will soon be an official program of West Town Bikes meaning that we can take charitable contributions to help offset costs.

“We’re still looking for interested high schoolers and adults who want to contribute. Adults can contribute financially (of course), by expressing an interest in being a guest (or guest coach) at a training session, or by helping with carpooling to the track (or transporting bikes or loaning a van). There are other volunteer roles we hope to fill as well.”

I have a lot of tips for riders here, but what about for the other side of the registration desk? We’ve discussed this somewhat before, but what tips do you have for promoters? Here are 10 that have recently come my way, but feel free to add more in the comments.

Note: This is not an invitation to complain about promoters, all of whom are providing invaluable, thankless service for us at very little benefit for themselves.  Plus, I hate whining. Rather, I’m soliciting the little things that might not have occurred to promoters already buried with paperwork, permitting and other logistics.

1. Include the exact address of your event, not just directions. This gives people something to plug into their GPS devices or their favorite mapping tools.

2. Make the finish line clear. Don’t put it a yard away from the crosswalk. If there is a banner, make sure it hangs exactly over the line.

3. Give a discount for online registration, or reimburse the service fees. Pre-registering is in your interest, and any costs you incur can be made up for by the people who register but don’t race. It lets you hedge against bad weather, too.

4. Discount for multiple races. Many of us are disinclined to pay full price for a race outside of our target category, such as masters or open races where we know we’ll be overmatched. But we’ll pay half price, and half is better than nothing, and our second race adds nothing to your fixed costs.

5. Let us re-use race numbers for multiple categories. One less thing we have to worry about before races. And make registration close and easy to find.

6. Provide results as deep as possible. For a new racer, there is a difference between 40th and 60th place.

7. Make safety a priority. More marshals at urban crits, please. More signage and motor escorts on road races, please. Position and choose barriers that make us more safe, not less.

8. Announce prime prizes before the race. We can’t hear you over the bell.

9. Post results online quickly. Racers are vain and like to spend hours studying the results tables. The Wisconsin Cycling Association and its promoters are models in this regard. Results are prompt, including updates to its cup standings.

10. Have plenty of water -- free water -- and toilets near the start/finish area.

    
    

    What other suggestions do you have for our promoters?

Last week I was contacted by Marc O’Shea (Turin), an English teacher at Naperville Central High School. One of his classes has been immersing itself in legendary American cyclist Major Taylor. In addition to reading everything they get their hands on about him, they’ve learned about cycling and have even monitored their own cycling performance to get a feel for the racing experience. “The students are reading everything on Taylor and analyzing his motivation, perseverance and so on,” O’Shea says. “They’re studying his bike racing tactics and movement in and out of Chicago during his life.”

It gets cooler: The unit inspired the students to design and produce wristbands that they will sell to raise funds for World Bicycle Relief.  “They’re pumped,” O’Shea says. “They have become so appreciative of bike racing. The power of the bike in life on man and the lives of many in need has marveled them as they’ve read.”

Here’s where it gets really cool: When O’Shea learned that Taylor was a major influence on Rahsaan Bahati (Rock Racing), he invited Bahati to come speak to the class -- and he accepted. Next week the sprinter and former national champion will spend two days with O’Shea’s students, meeting with them in small groups to discuss Taylor, bike racing and minorities in sports.

Bahati, fresh off a win at the prestigious Athens Twilight Criterium, is bringing their studies to life, O’Shea says. “He is the bridge between the past and the present.”

Paying the bills to get Bahati here? None other than Rock Racing owner Michael Ball.

Say what you will about Ball and Rock Racing, I think we all can agree this is a pretty awesome gesture. I’m so impressed by the project that I’ve offered to publish an edited interview conducted by the students. They’re preparing their questions at this moment. Look for the results in the next week or two.

USA Cycling has named Larry Martin to replace Mike Hanley as our midwest regional coordinator.  He has worked with the Minnesota Cycling Federation for six years and is the director of the North Central Collegiate Conference Director.

I asked CBR’s Minneapolis bureau chief Tim Hayes (Grumpy’s/LGR) for his analysis: “He is a good guy,” he says. “He is probably the only guy that can fill the old coordinator’s shoes, and his shop is real nice. Big thumbs up from us.”

As you follow the action out at the Redlands Bicycle Classic this weekend, look for locals Kristen Meshberg (Flatlandia) and Devon Haskell (Team Get a Grip Cycles), who are guests of the Dolce Vita squad. Today Haskell finished 28th in the prologue time trial. She no doubt is spending the evening studying the results and admiring all the big names that appear below hers.

Last week the Daily Herald profiled Jessi Prinner (ABD), a promising junior from South Elgin. I expect that as a cyclist, Prinner is one of the hardest-working athletes at her school, and it’s excellent to see media take note.

Coincidentally, Haskell, Meshberg and Prinner finished 3-4-5 at Hillsboro Saturday.

Speaking of women and cycling, Alberto’s is hosting clinics for women starting Wednesday, May 7. The three-week series covers everything from basic shifting to pacelines and cornering.

Thomas Lynch this morning pleaded not guilty to the seven felony charges related to September’s paceline incident on St. Mary’s Road. The judge set a May 12 trial date.

The six counts of aggravated battery carry sentences of two to five years. The count of failure to stop after an accident causing injuries carries a sentence of one to three years. In addition, Lynch faces $25,000 in fines.

A cyclist was killed this morning after an SUV struck him during a street race.

Matt Manger-Lynch, 29, was at the front of a large group of riders competing in the Tour da Chicago, a popular alleycat series. The pack was heading southeast on Lincoln and attempted to cross Irving Park against a red light. An eastbound SUV entered from Irving Park and struck him. He died on the scene.

I do not know much about Matt, other than that he was married, and that his results had been impressing people.  He was not affiliated with a team, but he had recently acquired a license and was looking forward to sanctioned racing.

I have been in touch with riders who were both in the pack as well as some who happened to be on the sidewalk at the time. All are incredibly shaken.

Alleycats are normally outside my purview -- note that today’s race did not include checkpoints, so some would not consider it a true alleycat -- but I’ll continue to update this post as I learn more about the incident and about Matt.

7 p.m.: The coroner is giving media the name “Matt Mager,” but I’ve spoken to more witnesses and am confident that it was indeed Matt Lynch.

2/25 10 a.m.: Media and friends are reporting his full name as Matt Manger-Lynch.

2/26 8 a.m.: The Tribune has a story about the racing aspect of Sunday’s collision, including more information about Matt. “‘He was very excited about [the racing],’ said Elizabeth Lynch, Manger-Lynch’s wife. ‘It was organized fun, and he got to be a little competitive.’” (I’m not bothering to read the comments on the story. I can only imagine how full of ugly, gleeful callousness they are.)

Here is Matt’s obituary, along with his Legacy guestbook.  Visitation will be Thursday near Milwaukee. Memorials may be made to the YMCA Camp Manito-wish, Box 246, Boulder Junction, WI 54512; or to the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, 9 W. Hubbard St., Suite 402, Chicago, IL 60610-6545.

Finally, here are pictures a friend of Matt has posted to Flickr.

2/27 11 a.m.: The Tribune editorial board responds to the tragedy by staking a position of being pro-courtesy, anti-races without port-o-potties. 

A grand jury on Wednesday indicted Thomas Lynch on six counts of aggravated battery and one count of failure to stop after an accident causing injuries in connection with September’s paceline incident on St. Mary’s Road. These are felony charges, largely in relation to just two of the 17 victims, and the state’s attorney may add additional counts to reflect the full scope of the alleged attack. (Full disclosure: I was one of the 17 riders in the paceline.)

This is a major step toward trial. Lynch will be arraigned and enter a plea at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27, at the Lake County Courthouse.

A local promoter has asked me to quiz my readership about what qualities you’d look for at your ideal criterium. What are your dreams? What are your pet peeves? If money were no object, what would you have? Bigger purses? Smaller fees? Better marshaling? New categories? Jumbotrons, blimps and a twilight performance from the Rolling Stones?

I don’t want to set a precedent of doing other people’s market research, but I think all race organizers could benefit from this exercise. Plus, I know some of you to have strong opinions on such matters, so let’s see ‘em in the comments.

The Illinois Cycling Association is rolling out its new Web site, including a new dot-org domain. Not all features are operational yet, but ICA vice president Steve Hansen (North Branch) promises quicker results and more timely information.

XXX Racing-AthletiCo on Friday unveiled its 2008 uniform. In a bold departure from previous color schemes, the black kit will pay tribute to the two riders the team lost in 2008, Beth Kobeszka and Pieter Ombregt. (Ombregt, some may remember, was known for wearing a black jersey when he rode unattached prior to riding for XXX Racing-AthletiCo.) Overhauling a uniform is no small gesture, and the team hopes that the kit will highlight its efforts to improve safety in 2008 and be a stark reminder of why safety is so important.

(Note also that the team is overhauling its Web site for 2008. I secured the webmaster’s permission to give CBR readers an exclusive first look.)

Starting this weekend, Judson will embark from the Plaza del Lago parking lot because of construction on Sheridan Road in Wilmette. (Wilmette obviously heard my plea for a smoother surface.)

Like a good-old fashioned burlesque show, the new teams of 2008 are heating things up by revealing themselves ever so gradually. Among this week’s revelations:

• » The Chicago Cuttin’ Crew is open for business. The Crew is mostly composed of working messengers, many formerly of XXX Racing-AthletiCo. Having been beaten by them in many an alleycat and ‘cross race, I can confirm this: They’re fearless and wicked fast.

• » Beer remains many cyclists’ favorite instrument of carb loading. Thus let us welcome Half Acre Cycling, sponsored by Chicago’s Half Acre Beer Company. I recognize on its roster products of Killjoy, Team Pegasus and XXX Racing-AthletiCo. Look for them on the road, on the track and in the dirt in one of the more handsome kits we’ve seen.

• » Mark Swartzendruber announced on True Sport, as only the ‘Druber can, that Lucas Oil is taking over title sponsorship of the team formerly known as Delta Faucet. His squad has picked up a few elite masters riders, too.

Who will be next to drop the veil of secrecy and expose the delights underneath? Stay tuned!

In his CBR interview last month, Mike Ebert (ABD) alluded to some big changes for Athletes by Design. Today he delivered, and the changes are a much bigger deal than just a few new sponsors.

ABD is joining forces with Gear Grinder Cycling (formerly known as PCW) to form a combined pro development team, known as ABD-Gear Grinder, to race regionally and at select National Race Calendar events.

The arrangement is for 2008 only, but Ebert tells me “everyone at ABD and Gear Grinder has been looking much further down the road since we first started talking.” This includes potential partnerships on junior, off-road and multisport programs.

The teams will continue to operate separate teams -- ABD has more than 200 members, PCW 130 -- for riders Category 1 through 5.

Gear Grinder is a Wisconsin-based company that will be selling “cycling-inspired” casual clothing. (Its Web site is under construction.)

Ebert’s post also unveils the 2008 ABD-Gear Grinder roster, which retains ABD heavyweights Josh Carter and Jeff Schroetlin and adds from PCW the dynamic duo of Rob and Ryan White. You may know Rob best from an impressive win over Jonathan Clarke (Colavita) at Glencoe or from this famous shot from Downers Grove.

In other ABD news, the flier for its annual indoor time trial series is now available. 2008’s first race is only a month away.

(Full disclosure: ABD is a sponsor of Chicago Bike Racing.)

It somehow slipped past my radar, but tomorrow night is the Wisconsin & Illinois Bicycle Racing Association Banquet in Mt. Prospect. Awards include for Rider of the Year, the Tour of Illinois & Wisconsin and the
Mid America Time Trial Series. Dinner is included with the $22 admission.

Memo to top secret new teams yet to reveal themselves:

Hurry up and make your big debuts, will you? In a few weeks I’m going to get tired of checking your URLs every day.

OK thanks!

Photo by Ellen Wight

My Unattached Rider jersey, the finest use of Helvetica since Crate and Barrel, arrived this week and I couldn’t be happier. Carlos did a great job. My only disappointment is that there aren’t more people on the lakefront path to admire it.

UPDATE: The Unattached Rider kit made its competitive debut Saturday when Ryan Gingerich (Unattached) wore it at Campton Cross, where he finished an impressive 8th in the 4A’s (above).

In the original coverage of September’s alleged hit-and-run on St. Mary’s Road, I reported that the driver, Thomas Lynch, would have a court date of Oct. 29. In the meantime I’ve neglected to mention that that date has been postponed until early 2008. I’ll pass along more details as they develop. (I don’t yet have information about the status of upgraded charges.)

Thomas Francis Lynch is the name of the driver accused of attacking the group ride Saturday morning.

TUESDAY UPDATE: This afternoon I spoke with Chris McNally (MetCycling), one of Saturday’s victims, who has done a great job of getting information from the sheriff’s department and the state’s attorney’s office.

Lynch had a bond hearing Monday morning on various traffic misdemeanors. This week the deputies will file a report with the sheriff, who will in turn approve the report and pass it on to the state’s attorney. The sheriff cannot file felony charges himself, but based on the evidence and recommendations of the sheriff, the state’s attorney will determine which, if any, felony charges to proceed with.

The state’s attorney should have the report by Monday. At this point Lynch has a court date of Oct. 29, 2007, to face whatever upgraded charges have been filed by then.

The state’s attorney has wide discretion. It is crucial, therefore, that he is convinced that this incident is important enough to society that it warrants full prosecution. Furthermore, he needs to be convinced that all interested parties, especially Saturday’s victims, will attend as many hearings as possible and do whatever is requested to secure conviction. He needs to be assured that come Oct. 29 he can expect the annoying click-clack of dozens of bike shoes across the courtroom floor.

Here’s the contact information:

Michael J. Waller
Lake County State’s Attorney
18 N. County St.
Waukegan, IL 60085
(847) 377-3000

Here are the points I’ll be making in my letter:

• » This was not merely a hit-and-run. This was not a case of a driver making a mistake and fleeing in a panic. This was a driver behaving with malice in a way likely to cause injury or death—and then fleeing in a panic.

• » Lynch’s actions suggest anti-social tendencies. This is a man willing to use or threaten violence in order to express himself. It is in society’s best interest to see this behavior punished to the full extent of the law.

• » Publicity from this case can be an important step toward improving car/bike relations. The case can be an example for other drivers who might consider such actions, but it can also be an opportunity to remind cyclists of the need to ride responsibly and safely.

Finally, Alan Burns is the name of the deputy who responded to the attack. This would be a much different story if he had not taken it as seriously as he did. If you’d like to join me in expressing your thanks, write him at: Lake County Sheriff’s Department; 25. S. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.; Waukegan, IL 60085. Flowers and chocolates would not be out of line.

A hit-and-run sent one rider to the hospital Saturday morning, but the episode closed with what appeared to be a happy ending.

Shortly after 9 a.m., I was among 15 17 cyclists heading north on St. Mary’s Road on an extension of the XXX Racing-AthletiCo team ride. After turning right off of Everett Road, we were going about 25 mph single-file on the solid white line of the shoulder. A white pick-up truck driven by Thomas Francis Lynch passed us, veered to the right and applied its brakes. There was no way to avoid a pileup, and as soon as one started, Lynch sped away.

The lead riders were able to ditch into the gravel. Riding fifth in line, Chris McNally (MetCycling) endoed and wound up beneath the truck, making contact with the rear wheel and slicing his shin open on the tailpipe. XXX Racing-AthletiCo president Bob Willems gashed his knee and would be transported to the hospital for precautionary neck and back X-Rays. Something or someone struck and broke the truck’s right taillight. Others sustained abrasions and cut knees.

It could have been much, much worse.

We were able to get his license plate -- “FES! 344!” we yelled so we would remember. “FES!  344!” -- and immediately called 911. Within minutes, Lake County sheriff’s deputies arrived to take statements. Paramedics followed to tend to the wounded.

As we were preparing to leave, 30 minutes after the attack, the driver returned to the scene to turn himself in. After speaking with the deputy for a few minutes, he was in cuffs and being escorted into a patrol car.

According to the deputy, Lynch claimed he had braked to avoid a squirrel. The deputy told us this was, in the professional parlance of law enforcement, “bullshit.”

Since he had turned himself in within two hours, it did not qualify as a hit-and-run. However, the deputy said he would push for reckless conduct, a felony. If nothing else, Lynch will face a raft of misdemeanors. (Ultimately the state’s attorney’s office will determine which charges will be filed.)

I’ll be following the case as closely as I can. This is not about just me, and it is not about just XXX Racing-AthletiCo. Road rage is a danger that could strike any of us, and St. Mary’s Road is a popular road for cyclists, triathletes and recreational riders. If an example is not made here, the message will be clear: Open season on cyclists.

Update: Here are more photos of the scene. Apologies for the lousy quality.

A few other notes:

• » Three cheers for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The deputies took the incident seriously and treated us with concern and respect.

• » Two drivers who witnessed the attack attempted to follow the truck, then returned to the scene to provide statements. The deputy said this buttressed our case immensely, as they were able to verify that we had been riding single-file and as far to the right as possible. Otherwise it would have been difficult to call for more serious charges. One more good reason for our group rides to stay no more than two abreast. Not only is it the law and not only does it ensure safety, but in a case like this, it can make the difference between an arrest and a verbal warning.

• » There is something incredibly satisfying in hearing handcuffs clasp shut on someone who has just apparently tried to kill you. Justice heals a great many wounds.

• » A few weeks ago I got into a lather over comments Steve Dahl made on his radio show. I knew that Dahl was kidding when he said how much he’d like to hit cyclists and “take their jerseys and keep them as pelts,” and that he likes to “get as close as I can to scare them,” but it didn’t take long to find out what can happen when a driver tries to “scare” cyclists. Dahl’s comments contribute to a climate where drivers feel such conduct is acceptable. (This is hardly the first time a vehicle has stopped short to startle a group ride.) Do North Shore cyclists need to do a better job of sharing the road? Yes, of course. Does this mean drivers should use their vehicles as weapons?  No, and how dare you, Steve Dahl, to even joke about it.

• » XXX Racing-AthletiCo has a tragic history with road rage. In 1999, messenger and team friend Tom McBride was run down and killed after an altercation on Chicago’s West Side. In a landmark case, the driver was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to 45 years in jail. This was one wound, however, that no amount of justice could heal.

There will be a viewing this Sunday, Sept. 16, at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western, Chicago, beginning at 11:30 a.m. A prayer service will follow at 1:30 p.m.

In other sad news, I learned from Mike Ebert (ABD) that Gerry Turrubiartes, the cyclist killed by a train this weekend, was popular on area group rides. This Kane County Chronicle story notes that he had ties to the Bicycle Heaven shop and team in St. Charles. “He was the guy who would ride up to you after a hard-won race or sprint and would say ‘good job,’ and not just ride away and pout,” said John Dapkus (Turin).

Here is an obituary, which says he was a former member of Colavita, as well has his Legacy guestbook.

If anyone can tell us more about Gerry and his life, feel free to comment or e-mail.

7/15
2 p.m.: The Tuesday night St. Charles group ride rode by the crash site and laid flowers. Ara Oggoian (Bicycle Heaven) says there will be a memorial ride in the future. I’ll pass along details when I get them.

Pieter Ombregt (XXX Racing-AthletiCo) crashed hard racing at Matteson last night. Despite immediate first aid and more than two hours of surgery, Pieter passed away later in the evening at St. James Hospital in Olympia Fields.

It is a devastating loss for his family and the second tragedy to strike XXX Racing-AthletiCo this year.

This is my understanding of the crash, most of which comes from Michael Kelly (South Chicago Wheelmen), who was there: The 27-year-old Belgian was attacking into the wind out of Turn 4, one of many “frisky” attacks of his this night. After looking back to check his gap, he apparently strayed to the right, off the road, and struck industrial piping near the start/finish area. He was going about 30 mph. The force of the crash broke his carotid artery and caused massive bleeding. He never regained consciousness.

Witnesses speculate that he may have been blinded by the setting sun, which at that hour was in riders’ eyes on that section of the course.

This was his second season with XXX Racing-AthletiCo after racing with ABD in 2005. He was a frequent racer at Matteson, and when he visited his family in Belgium he would train and race there. (On Aug. 25 he placed 7th in the Parochianenkoers Hertsberghe.) At Superweek this year he won the Cedarburg 4/5’s and placed 2nd in Whitefish Bay.

He lived in Chicago with his fiancee. His family is en route from Belgium.

I will update this post as information develops. Friends and others are encouraged to share their thoughts and memories in the comments.

This isn’t supposed to happen, ever, and for it to happen twice in one city, to one team, my team, is confounding.

6 p.m.: The Daily Southtown has a story: “Accomplished cyclist crashes in Matteson race, dies.”

11 p.m.: I’ve started a photo gallery over at the XXX Racing-AthletiCo site.

9/13
9 a.m.: I wasn’t sure at first, but that is our Pieter behind pieterombregt.com. I had no idea he was such a talented photographer. His portraits are amazing. A photographer colleague of Pieter’s has a remembrance.

9:30 a.m.: Teammate Bob Willems also has a remembrance: “He brought his heart and guts to the start line of every race. People came to know Pieter by the character of his riding, and I think that’s the highest compliment for a cyclist.”

11 a.m.: The South Chicago Wheelmen have canceled the rest of the 2007 Matteson series, an understandable decision. The Daily Southtown story hints at this, but I expect there will be a difficult decision to be made, by both our friends at SCW and our generous hosts at Ace Hardware, about whether the races continue. I for one hope they do. I can’t think of anything in the Chicago area that contributes more to racer safety than these practice criteriums. We are better, safer riders because of them.

6 p.m. There will be a viewing this Sunday, Sept. 16, at Drake & Son Funeral Home, 5303 N. Western, Chicago, beginning at 11:30 a.m. A prayer service will follow at 1:30 p.m.

9/14
8 a.m.: Here is Pieter’s obituary, and Legacy guestbook.

9 a.m.: CyclingNews has a brief item.

4 p.m.: A scholarship to honor Pieter has been established. To donate to the Pieter Ombregt Scholarship Fund, direct funds to:
Columbia College Chicago
Attn. Kim Clement
600 S. Michigan Ave., 4th Floor
Chicago, IL 60605

His family will be notified of your contribution.

9/16
6 p.m.: It was standing room only at Pieter’s prayer service today. Many moving and beautiful things were said in tribute to Pieter. Of relevance to the cyclists reading this are the words from Pieter’s father: “When you are in the peloton and look around and do not see Pieter, do not be sad that he is not there. He is there. He’s just escaped. He is around the corner, and you must go faster to catch up to him.”

9/17
12 p.m.: Mark your calendars: On Thursday, Nov. 15, at 5 p.m. a reception will open an exhibition of Pieter’s photography at the City Gallery of Photography at 800 N. Michigan Ave. This is a prestigious location, and the exhibition will run through Feb. 3.

9/20
3 p.m.: The Columbia Chronicle has a story: “Tragic cycling accident claims life of Columbia photography student.”

And in Het Volk: “Onze zoon is vredig en gelukkig gestorven.”

All Things Considered is running a story tonight about what a great sport cycling is and how the 2007 Tour de France has been the most thrilling in years doping. Several local racers were interviewed on the lakefront path for possible use in the national broadcast. Hopefully the dumb parts will be edited out.

Things this interviewee might have said had he more time to gather his wits:

• » Surprised? Look, every trade has its cheats. Who on earth expects cycling to be any different? Accountants embezzle, salesmen lie, contractors cut corners, executives raid pensions. From a president who swindles an election to the guy who shakes the vending machine for a free Butterfinger, we’re a nation of cheats. Cheats in our world don’t get caught, they get promoted (or pardoned). So, no, of course I’m not surprised. Saddened, but not surprised.

• » Does it threaten “the sport”? The sport as it relates to us is doing just fine, thanks. Beginning categories are filled to capacity. Paths and training routes are crowded. Coaches and fitting services can charge an arm and a leg. The state of the sport is good and getting better.

• » Would it matter if the Tour were made easier? Not likely. Doping would still make the difference between winning and being pack fodder, and between being pack fodder and having a job at the bike shop. If the outfield walls were moved in a hundred feet, wouldn’t baseball players still be looking for every available edge?

Audio is available online here.