The Mail Bag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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What about Landis?
Editor:
I have read previously that Floyd Landis had an "out" in his contract if Phonak did not get into the UCI ProTour. Have you any further information regarding Landis's status? Rumors of what team he might join? Chances that he will go back to the Postal/Discovery team? Thanks.

Danny Autrey
Bremerton, Washington

Yeah, what about Landis?
Editor:
Since Phonak will not be allowed to do the ProTour, what is going to happen to Floyd Landis? He had already signed with Phonak, hadn't he? It's a bit late to start looking for new teams now. With his ability, I am sure he will be fine, but I'm curious whom he will ride for.

Erik Eilers
San Diego, California

Danny and Erik, the fat lady hasn’t sung quite yet. Phonak has 15 days to appeal the UCI’s decision to the international Court of Arbitration for Sport, though whether such an appeal is forthcoming remains to be seen. In the meantime, we’ll see if we can get hold of Landis for his thoughts on the matter and get back to you. – Editor

Enough about Tyler, already
Editor:
Can we stop talking about Tyler Hamilton and his guilt versus innocence? The fact remains, Tyler may be the only person (outside of possibly a doctor, nurse, trainer or phlebotomist) who knows whether he cheated, period, end of story. We as amateur racers and fans most likely will never get an accurate account of his supposed transgression.

Has anyone done a 180 and changed their mind based on all of the rambling about his character? Most likely, you had your own opinion of the man before the test results and you maintained them after the results became public.

The grim truth is that Tyler's been fired from Phonak, and he's not going to race in 2005. He'll be lucky to be back in late '06. Three Phonak riders stand accused, one rider stepped forward and admitted guilt. Phonak may fold. How about Floyd Landis, and the other quality riders that now must suffer the consequences? Do you think any of them are proudly sporting their "Believe Tyler" buttons?

I implore the mailbag editor to put a stop to the madness and let Tyler's hearing do the talking, please! Let's focus on the positives in our sport. Do a little thinking outside the vial for a change.

Chris Horton
Indianapolis, Indiana

Chris, we try to run most of the letters we receive, as long as the authors provide their full names, their city and state (or nation) of residence, and an interesting topic for discussion. And believe it or not, most of those letters have been about Tyler’s predicament. Still, we’re open to new directions … so how ’bout it? Anyone want to talk bike racing instead of sports medicine for a change? Like, say, who’s gonna win cyclo-cross nationals? – Editor

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The Mail Bag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and hometown. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.