Agreed. 100%. I just went back to re-read it in its entirety. Really moving.
I then followed the link to Bassons' 1999 article:
http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/results/1999/jul99/jul18.shtml
It's a very telling article that gets to the true heart of the problem: complicity between the riders themselves and those who run the show. Sad. I can only imagine what Bassons was up against.
This from Leblanc:
It really is disgusting to consider. And as if that wasn't enough, the article below has
this bit of wisdom from Jean-Marie. Keep in mind, this is from
1999
No wonder Christophe Bassons didn't stand a chance. He was too good for a sport that, in the end, didn't deserve him. I am inspired by his thoughts and words, and yet left more discouraged that any meaningful, transformative change is even possible within cycling.