Internal Garmin Email from Prentice Steffen

[Colm.Murphy]

The topics that way -------------->

lets not degenerate this into another jv picking holes and *****ing session. i think weve had enough of those recently.

Fair enough. Please disregard the portion of my reply dealing with race radios.

Thanks,

Colm.

 

[auscyclefan94]

I don't want to start another frenzy by posting, but you I'm happy to give an explanation on this one.

In 2008, blood profiling was brand new and the riders had a lot of questions. One was "Can we see our results?" This email was politely telling them "no" and the reason why. Perception equals reality is just that. If the public or even WADA thought we were giving the riders their results, it would look as if we were providing riders data to help them dope. In my meetings with WADA is 2006 and 2007, where we were conceiving this program, they were insistent that the riders not be given access to the results "quickly"...Of course, a few months after the fact is fine, as its of little value then and a rider may want these for their medical records or to help track training load vs. blood profile. So, this was a nice way of saying "no, you don't get them, but its not because we think you're cheating or that you're little children, but that we must make sure everyone's perception of our team is in line with what the reality is."

I honestly don't think riders have requested any of these results since the email. They do get their UCI quarterlies, which I think is a good thing, as those tests are no used for anti-doping and are performed in any lab you'd like.

I can't help it if Prentice meanders a bit in his writing. He's a doctor, not Bill Bryson.

As far as the press. Yes, we have a strict procedure in releasing blood data:
1. You are an accredited journalist asking for it.
2. You have a hematologist on retainer to help you review the data.

Seems pretty logical, eh? Its the same now as it was in 2008. And if you were a pro rider, i'd imagine you'd want something like this is place to, as opposed to just giving the info away to anyone.

Anyhow, just FYI, legally I could have this post taken down, at least according to the CN legal staff, but I'm choosing to let this stay up, as I'm pretty sick and tired of being accused of not being "really transparent" or whatever the weird "the moon comes and JV will suffer under the shadow of the five a**ed monkey at midnight" that sometimes gets posted here.

So, here's your transparency, approved by JV himself.

Any questions?Just email me or call. Its way easier than this. And I will get back to you. I'm not posting my email or phone number, as I'm already stocked up on Viagra ads, but just call the office and ask. i'll get back to you....as soon as I'm done teaching PVP English.

So if this letter has nothing to do with possible doping at Garmin then why are you so agitated that you have to come onto a forum to explain the email? Seems odd that you don't come on when everyone was gossiping (fairly or unfairly) about Del Moral, White and the Trent Lowe situation? Did the email touch a nerve? What about the Landis/Kimmage interview where you were mentioned numerous times? Didn't you feel the need to answer those claims?

 

[Jamsque]

ACF I don't think JV has the free time to check this forum as often as you do.

 

[auscyclefan94]

ACF I don't think JV has the free time to check this forum as often as you do.

I'm not saying that but he felt inclined and was agitated enough to explain the email but when there was gossip and opinions about him and Garmin with stories such as Lowe or Landis stories recently he doesn't come on and say anything.

 

[Colm.Murphy]

It is a silly move by JV o come here an submit himself to this group. Nothing to really gain and plenty to look rather poor about.

This kind of thing should be beneath his concern. What is said and posted on a message forum. With so many unanswered and open issues, it is highly curious he chose this topic to grace us with his presence.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

It is a silly move by JV o come here an submit himself to this group. Nothing to really gain and plenty to look rather poor about.

This kind of thing should be beneath his concern. What is said and posted on a message forum. With so many unanswered and open issues, it is highly curious he chose this topic to grace us with his presence.

All true - but the flipside is that the leaked email appeared here.

Its quick and easy to deal with it here - as the alternatives would be to do a press release or comment to the cycling media.

 

[skidmark]

Well, seems like the frenzy has started.

Thanks for the explanation, Jonathan Vaughters. I just have one important question: why are you responding to this thread, when you didn't respond to the post I made on page 76 of the Landis thread about how you use the word 'transparency' too much. Seems odd to me...

While we're talking about my needs, I only have one of your riders in my fantasy cycling game, Andrew Talansky. Could you make sure he does relatively small tours so he can at least get some points. Or if he rides bigger tours, get the team to ride for him so he can at least improve on last year's total. 76 points doesn't seem too hard, and you look like a smart guy, so it should work out.

Thanks in advance.

 

[auscyclefan94]

It is a silly move by JV o come here an submit himself to this group. Nothing to really gain and plenty to look rather poor about.

This kind of thing should be beneath his concern. What is said and posted on a message forum. With so many unanswered and open issues, it is highly curious he chose this topic to grace us with his presence.

That is what I was trying to say. Thank you.

If you accept JV's answer then you are gullible.

 

[Alpe d'Huez]

I'm with Dim and Doc (sounds like a comedy duo). I'd like to know the motivation of the OP for releasing this. What's the point? We've speculated the thrust of this and much more. I like the concept and name "Cyclingleaks" but there's no sauce on this enchilada, and the Clinic likes things spicy hot.

Maybe the CN legal team will pass on their IP address

Not.
Even.
Close.

AC94 - I have this feeling he's not going to answer you. You as much as anyone have to remember last time he spent more than a short while here. It didn't end well.

 

[pedaling squares]

I'm not saying that but he felt inclined and was agitated enough to explain the email but when there was gossip and opinions about him and Garmin with stories such as Lowe or Landis stories recently he doesn't come on and say anything.

Perhaps because this latest thread involves an e-mail from the team doctor and a suggestion that he (Steffen) was writing about intentionally misleading the public. There is more incentive for JV to come here and set the record straight.

 

[Elagabalus]

It is a silly move by JV o come here an submit himself to this group. Nothing to really gain and plenty to look rather poor about.

This kind of thing should be beneath his concern. What is said and posted on a message forum. With so many unanswered and open issues, it is highly curious he chose this topic to grace us with his presence.

Wow. It really is damned if you do and damned if don't around here. Next time he'll just pull the story. Less headaches ...

As for him gracing us with his presents ...I would like a new Cervelo w/Super Record... Thanks dude!!

 

[auscyclefan94]

Perhaps because this latest thread involves an e-mail from the team doctor and a suggestion that he (Steffen) was writing about intentionally misleading the public. There is more incentive for JV to come here and set the record straight.

Yes but this has to do with JV and his teams repuatation. Even more to do with his repuatation, the direct claims by Landis and Lowe which he didn't come on here and comment about. Seems he is being very selective about what he posts about. Obviously he is hiding something if he has to explain what most think is a straight forward letter. Also a coincidence that he logs onto the forum just as the letter was posted up. He knew it was going to be posted.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not saying that but he felt inclined and was agitated enough to explain the email but when there was gossip and opinions about him and Garmin with stories such as Lowe or Landis stories recently he doesn't come on and say anything.

All true - but the flipside is that the leaked email appeared here.

Its quick and easy to deal with it here - as the alternatives would be to do a press release or comment to the cycling media.

As doc said, the email was posted here, it was tweeted that it was here, so he came had a look and clearly felt he may as well comment.

Where do you get the impression he was agitated acf. He would have just seen it linked on twitter (or cn contacted him) and come to see what it was and read it for himself. He made it pretty clear why he was replying. Its not a case of JV reading the forum everyday and picking and choosing what he replies to. He would have seen this one on twitter, or CN legal got hold of him and so he came here to look at it.

Stop trying to make this far more mysterious and skulldugerous than it really appears to be.

Im more ****ed off at you that I stopped watching Boardwalk Empire to come on here and look at a really exciting email.

 

[auscyclefan94]

As doc said, the email was posted here, it was tweeted that it was here, so he came had a look and clearly felt he may as well comment.

Where do you get the impression he was agitated acf. He would have just seen it linked on twitter (or cn contacted him) and come to see what it was and read it for himself. He made it pretty clear why he was replying. Its not a case of JV reading the forum everyday and picking and choosing what he replies to. He would have seen this one twitter, or CN legal got hold of him and so he came here to look at it.

Stop trying to make this far more mysterious and skulldugerous than it really appears to be.

Good luck to you if you believe that!

 

[Ferminal]

Well, people should be PMing/E-mailing JV with their questions.

 

[Anonymous]

Good luck to you if you believe that!

Yes, JV has nothing better to do than to read this forum every day. Cycling teams run themselves.

Maybe im missing something, or maybe there is something meatier in the pipeline.

Tell you what I think, whoever posted that has heard the clinic is a bit of a gossip shop but assumed everyone here was dumb and that email would cause a big furore of insinuations and allegations. Should have credited everyone with a bit more intelligence.

Honestly, maybe theres more, but if i was a journo id struggle to get much of a story out of that email as it stands.

 

[Colm.Murphy]

Wow. It really is damned if you do and damned if don't around here. Next time he'll just pull the story. Less headaches!

Alas, the risks of selectively responding to "controversial issues".

No one twisted his arm to post here, nor did anyone really hammer him or his responses. Civility prevailed, though the forthright answers did not come to be revealed.

 

[pedaling squares]

Yes but this has to do with JV and his teams repuatation. Even more to do with his repuatation, the direct claims by Landis and Lowe which he didn't come on here and comment about. Seems he is being very selective about what he posts about. Obviously he is hiding something if he has to explain what most think is a straight forward letter. Also a coincidence that he logs onto the forum just as the letter was posted up. He knew it was going to be posted.

All rumours and accusations affect the team's reputation to some degree. People in public positions are used to them and choose not to respond to many of them. This one dealt with material that originated from the team doctor, so I think there is more reason for JV to want to clarify the issue. I just can't make the connection that he is hiding something. As for knowing it was going to be posted, don't you think he could just as easily have received a text from an associate saying, "Hey check out the thread about Prentice on CN"?

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

So if this letter has nothing to do with possible doping at Garmin then why are you so agitated that you have to come onto a forum to explain the email? Seems odd that you don't come on when everyone was gossiping (fairly or unfairly) about Del Moral, White and the Trent Lowe situation? Did the email touch a nerve? What about the Landis/Kimmage interview where you were mentioned numerous times? Didn't you feel the need to answer those claims?

It is a silly move by JV o come here an submit himself to this group. Nothing to really gain and plenty to look rather poor about.

This kind of thing should be beneath his concern. What is said and posted on a message forum. With so many unanswered and open issues, it is highly curious he chose this topic to grace us with his presence.

Will you two shut up! It's great to have a DS posting on the forum from time to time. Don't try to ruin it by telling him it's stupid or suspicious to do so.

 

[Elagabalus]

Alas, the risks of selectively responding to "controversial issues".

No one twisted his arm to post here, nor did anyone really hammer him or his responses. Civility prevailed, though the forthright answers did not come to be revealed.

JPM London pretty much summed things wrt to the email in question within the first 4 posts. It's a tempest in a teapot, even if you don't think so. But have at it if you think you must.

 

[Colm.Murphy]

Will you two shut up! It's great to have a DS posting on the forum from time to time. Don't try to ruin it by telling him it's stupid or suspicious to do so.

FFS. Don't act so starstruck.

Why is it "great"? He has many open issues relative to Landis, doping, Lowe, White, etc. Why should he get a pass? So we can ask him what kind of Bordeaux he prefers?

Spare us. He is in a very visible, and self-righteous position. This has come under scrutiny of late and it is very valid to address those open issues.

If you want to "worship", go follow his twitter account. If you want answers to the uncomfortable questions, let the people who like to sit at the adult table push him when he drops by and looks for a seat.

 

[auscyclefan94]

FFS. Don't act so starstruck.

Why is it "great"? He has many open issues relative to Landis, doping, Lowe, White, etc. Why should he get a pass? So we can ask him what kind of Bordeaux he prefers?

Spare us. He is in a very visible, and self-righteous position. This has come under scrutiny of late and it is very valid to address those open issues.

If you want to "worship", go follow his twitter account. If you want answers to the uncomfortable questions, let the people who like to sit at the adult table push him when he drops by and looks for a seat.

I said I didn't believe him and that he should openly talk about other issues. Here's what he came up with

Ok, don't believe me.... Back to my evil laboratory!!! Broohoohhahaha!!


Surprise, surprise, he backs way from the question.

 

[auscyclefan94]

Anyone want to read my interesting convo with JV on twitter then please do so. I thank JV for coming on and talking

http://twitter.com/#!/ACycling_fan

 

[red_flanders]

It seems most of the objections in this case are grounded in "JV didn't pay attention to me!".

Penetrating questions are the way to go. JV should not get a pass.

But this? This is a non issue.

 

[carl spackler]

I think in any place it would be problematic if you submitted people to tests and kept the information completely confidential from the person who's data it, in the end, is...

Well, if its their data, why not cut out the middleman and just have them test themselves? I'm sure any abnormalities would be reported immediately.

I think this just points out the absurdity of internal testing. I think its great that JV wants people to think his team is clean, and maybe he is trying to make sure it is - I don't think this "leak" does much to dispute that. But I have to say I'm not buying the "testing was new, riders had questions" excuse. I think for experienced guys, if riders are clean its pretty obvious based on the tests. The ones that want, or need feedback, probably shouldn't get it.