Interesting Article on USA Cycling

[DirtyWorks]

Just to give the few interested in how long cycling has been a mess in the U.S., here's a nice summary from a guy who was in USA Cycling sports administration since the 1970's, Les Earnest.

Mr. Earnest is a **very** forward thinking fellow. You can thank him for the helmet requirement that was eventually adopted worldwide. Outside of cycling, the guy is a computer engineering b@d @ss.

Les' efforts to bring some transparency and accountability the sport failed. He has documented his fight with the transition of USA Cycling from a general mess he was trying to clean up, to Thom Wiesel's fiefdom.

http://www.stanford.edu/~learnest/cyclops/dopestrong.htm

The head-page to all his content is: http://www.stanford.edu/~learnest/cyclops/

Les, you need to switch to a Wordpress engine and post more often!

 

[montel]

Funny, I sometimes thought you were Les hiding out on here...

 

[DirtyWorks]

Funny, I sometimes thought you were Les hiding out on here...

Haha No. I'm not that good a programmer among other gifts I lack. I generally agree with what he was/is doing though.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Tammy Thomas

Long, ***long*** overdue update on Tammy Thomas.

Physically, she’s weaker than her elderly parents because of her body’s deterioration from long-term doping, even though she hasn’t used performance-enhancing drugs in more than a decade. She faces even graver steroid-induced health effects as she ages.

The combination of both steroids and sexual trauma plagues her with chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.

The story is a bit over-the-top in spots, but lots of good information in particular about USA Cycling's role in doping. Unfortunately, the writer doesn't understand that the system still works the same as it did when Thomas was finally popped.

The writer even brings up the Wade Exum bomb that never went off and Matt DeCannio.

This story is so late. Let's hope it brings some more heat to USAC/USOC doping. Paging Thom Wiesel.... Thom Wiesel to the doping sh!tstorm... Paging Steve Johnson.... Steve Johnson to the sh!tstorm....

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/cycling/2013/03/01/doping-scandal-haunts-tammy-thomas/1958053/

 

[MarkvW]

Long, ***long*** overdue update on Tammy Thomas.

Physically, she’s weaker than her elderly parents because of her body’s deterioration from long-term doping, even though she hasn’t used performance-enhancing drugs in more than a decade. She faces even graver steroid-induced health effects as she ages.

The combination of both steroids and sexual trauma plagues her with chronic fatigue, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.

The story is a bit over-the-top in spots, but lots of good information in particular about USA Cycling's role in doping. Unfortunately, the writer doesn't understand that the system still works the same as it did when Thomas was finally popped.

The writer even brings up the Wade Exum bomb that never went off and Matt DeCannio.

This story is so late. Let's hope it brings some more heat to USAC/USOC doping. Paging Thom Wiesel.... Thom Wiesel to the doping sh!tstorm... Paging Steve Johnson.... Steve Johnson to the sh!tstorm....

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/cycling/2013/03/01/doping-scandal-haunts-tammy-thomas/1958053/

She's going to suffer like those poor East German athletes are suffering now. Really sad.

 

[Oldman]

She's going to suffer like those poor East German athletes are suffering now. Really sad.

Your reference to East German athletes is well put and Mssrs Weisel, Johnson and other facilitators should, indeed; brace for the sh*tstorm. I didn't care much for competing against them back in the day and don't think their abuse of USACycling should stay in the dark.

 

[Dear Wiggo]

Kinda tarnishes the idea of receiving awards from USA cycling, huh?

 

[DirtyWorks]

Getting Worse

This is worse than the UCI's toll-free number.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...-Cycling-number-of-tests-to-be-increased.aspx

Not only are they going to continue to hide doping positives, they are asking for donations to continue hiding results.

Give them your money to protect doping their favored riders here:
https://www.usacycling.org/usa-cycling-raceclean-program.htm

Finally, how many of those anti-doping dollars will shift to USACDF?

 

[frenchfry]

This is worse than the UCI's toll-free number.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...-Cycling-number-of-tests-to-be-increased.aspx

Not only are they going to continue to hide doping positives, they are asking for donations to continue hiding results.

Give them your money to protect doping their favored riders here:
https://www.usacycling.org/usa-cycling-raceclean-program.htm

Finally, how many of those anti-doping dollars will shift to USACDF?

What do you want to bet that the call for "donations" is at the request of Armstrong and his paid thugs. If they can demonstrate that "donations" to a sport's governing agency are a normal way of operating, then Armstrong's "donation" offer a few years back is nothing exceptional.

 

[DirtyWorks]

The fallout has been intense surrounding the UCI demanding National federations forbid UCI license holders all the way down to the grassroots level from participating in non-UCI sanctioned events.

USAC is pretending the rule doesn't apply to all members: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/usa-cycling-suggests-dissatisfied-riders-contact-uci-about-rules

Pat's letter insists that ALL riders are forbidden from participating in events outside the UCI. http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/any-uci-licensee-forbidden-from-unsanctioned-events-says-usa-cycling

The Facingbooks comments make it clear most members simply don't understand what the federation's goals are or what the federation does. It's sad that it has taken this long for members to get a clue.

The best part is the little money in off-road cycling is sending its UCI pros to an unsanctioned event. http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/04/08...ddresses-uciusac-forbidden-racing/#more-57953

I think most members will put up with the abuse after a week of whining.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Mike Plant Gets a Promotion

Late with this story:
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...I-Cyclocross-Commission-by-Brian-Cookson.aspx

Mike Plant is running the UCI's cyclocross program. If my understanding of the UCI is right, that should be a promotion for him.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Ancient Story

Probably posted elsewhere, but this story should make it clear the sports federation determines which tests are run and is the only authority permitted to open cases.

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...o-Cycling-Challenge-and-other-top-events.aspx

 

[del1962]

from Wheelman indicating the cosy connection between USA Cycling and Lance

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wheelmen-book-excerpt-what-to-do-about-lance-armstrong-part-2

After the lunch, Messick told Steve Johnson about the meeting - just as Landis had assumed he would. Landis knew that the two men communicated often and that Johnson had been involved in helping the Tour of California get off the ground. Landis further assumed that Johnson would in turn tell Lance, and he was curious how long it would take for that to happen, because the network of connections between USA Cycling and Armstrong made it almost inevitable. If Landis went public with detailed allegations, it could bring them all down. One of the lawyers at USA Cycling then called Bill Stapleton, who jumped into action immediately. As Landis had anticipated, Armstrong called one of the leaders of Landis's cycling team and accused Landis of extortion. Landis, Armstrong said, was threatening to level allegations against Armstrong if he did not pay up. Armstrong asked how the team was doing financially, and offered to find the team sponsorship money in exchange for booting Landis. But Landis's team was behind him. They turned down Armstrong's offer.

 

[DirtyWorks]

VeloNews Bites The Hand

Like a lightning bolt out of the clear blue sky, Velonews publishes small portions of Macur's book that implicates Steve Johnson knowing exactly what USPS was doing. (doping.)

It all left Zabriskie confused. Soon after the Andreu/Vaughters admissions, he once again explained his feelings about the Postal Service team’s doping to Steve Johnson, who recently had been named chief executive of USA Cycling. He wanted help from one of the most powerful men in American cycling—a man who once had been his mentor. Instead, Johnson said Andreu never should have gone public. Then he told Zabriskie, “If you ever do drugs, I’ll kill you.”

Already depressed by Landis’s positive test, Zabriskie was dismayed to hear Johnson’s criticism of Andreu. Nor did he understand Johnson’s admonition.

“Uh, Steve,” he said, “I already told you that I have used drugs, that the guys on Postal were injecting me with all sorts of stuff. Remember at worlds two years ago? I told you that they were doing drugs on that team.”

Read more at http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...-macurs-cycle-lies_320274#02CTksD3ZVqI2oUr.99

Hmmm. Sports federation knows about doping and not only does nothing, but head of said federation criticizes and athlete for being honest. Yeah....

Is there anyone left wondering why doping is endemic when the federation is running it on their team?

 

[RobbieCanuck]

Haha No. I'm not that good a programmer among other gifts I lack. I generally agree with what he was/is doing though.

Didn't someone out you as the chief timer for the 1978 Red Zinger race which would make you Les Earnest.

 

[DirtyWorks]

Didn't someone out you as the chief timer for the 1978 Red Zinger race which would make you Les Earnest.

No. I'm not Les. I share the lost goal of some transparency and good governance of the sport. But, that's it.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

No. I'm not Les. I share the lost goal of some transparency and good governance of the sport. But, that's it.

Yes, I wish we all shared that lost goal. I do. I find it incredible that Johnson and Stapleton are still part of USA Cycling. What is it going to take for reform at USAC.

 

[TourOfTexas]

You can thank him for the helmet requirement that was eventually adopted worldwide.

Oh, he's that guy.

 

[Master50]

It is so discouraging to read these things about the top of sports organization especially since I have so many friends in USAC at the peon level and officials. Dam politicians only care about the spin. They never have the guts to back up those that want to work honestly. They must really think that not talking about things makes them go away?\All they seem to care about is how much money they will earn.
Not just sport organizations either. managers in local governments care more about the press than public safety.
National organizations that have heads intent on causing damage to the last organization they were not promoted in.
It is every where. self interest over the purpose of their work?
Even guys like Tygart may be doing the dirty work but he has an agenda too but I can't say what it might be? I just hope it is an agenda I can applaud rather than just serving him.
The other real problem is we love to crucify the good guys too. Often demanding resignations from the first person to speak up.

 

[Race Radio]

Somebody is not telling the truth

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014/03/news/usac-chief-denies-knowledge-postal-doping_320736

 

[eporesis]

No. I'm not Les. I share the lost goal of some transparency and good governance of the sport. But, that's it.

Oh, I think it's all transparent enough now. I'm waiting on the good governance part, but not holding my breath. I've been waiting since Simes and Fraysee were going at it.

Publicly, Johnson's conflict of interest vis-a-vis Weisel was pointed out long ago by the SF Chronicle. I've met the dude a few times, and he's pretty smart, smart enough to keep his head low when the 5h1t's flying. He doesn't seem to be about anything but the aforementioned, that is, making sure he won't be left standing if a game of musical chairs ensues. Also, Johnson's position/knowledge were clear enough after the WSJ leaked Floyd's letters, ie, play Sargent Schultz and get the word to Stapleton.

 

[eporesis]

Also (if this wasn't mentioned elsewhere), USAC sent out a letter about CIRC a week ago:

"The CIRC is a vital part of the process to bring integrity to every level of cycling, but this important commission can only work if the cycling world wants it to. Therefore, I am appealing to any USA Cycling members to come forward with any information that can assist the CIRC in its inquiry. This is your opportunity to take responsibility for our sport and help it become a sport in which we can have the utmost trust and confidence."

Steve's signature was at the bottom. For a moment I thought it was a joke. Since we in the US have no reasonable mechanism for getting rid of him, however, all there is is shame, and that letter was nothing if not shameless.

 

[DirtyWorks]

VeloNews Bites the Hand... Again???

Johnson is a lying liar.

I would have done exactly what USA Cycling and I have done with every allegation of doping that has been brought to our attention: directed the information and/or the athlete to USADA


Oh really? You mean like the brief submitted in Armstrong's appeal? Criticizing Frankie?

said he was aware of the doping but only learned of it in 2010

Oh really? And then Armstrong throws another lie on the pile.


“I know I never talked to him, and [I know] they never uncovered anything and then tried to cover it up,” he wrote.

Uh huh. I'm a little mystified why VN is striking out at USAC. But the denial softens the story quite a bit.

http://velonews.competitor.com/2014...edge-postal-doping_320736#xLMReHp2UA53OCcy.99

 

[zigmeister]

^Thanks for posting that. Was going to if nobody else had by the time I got around to it.

Typical, Steve Johnson is pathetic and of course, as DZNutz stated, what else is he going to say at this point in his life/career?? Just deny deny deny....

No integrity these POS's....

Joke also that USACycling increased the membership fees this year around. They claimed that so many people are also racing CX, which was normally a seperate annual dues fee, that might as well just give that benefit to everybody, and raise the annual dues to all racers.

What a joke, gave themselves a 30% increase in membership dues, when a small percentage 1-2% will actual gain any benefit from it.

 

[TrackCynic]

Can anyone explain where this "Northern California Cycling Foundation" organization fits in? It's another of Weisel's - he's even on their jerseys.

http://norcalcf.wordpress.com

It "sponsors" this team: http://www.teamspecializedracing.com/sponsors/

The plot is still very thick.