The Mailbag 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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Belgians right to oppose witch hunt
Editor:
Finally, a voice of reason from inside cycling. I applaud the letter Belgian sports officials wrote to De Standaard pointing out that the fight against doping is become a moral crusade, or witch hunt (see “Belgians attack anti-doping rules”).

I wholeheartedly agree that cheating athletes should be punished. However, I don’t find it necessary to destroy an athlete’s career in the process – or, even worse, to allow the IOC and WADA to ruin cycling from the inside. I am pleased to see that not all cycling governing bodies are asleep at the wheel while this sport I love unravels.

Michael Chalk
Prairie Village, Kansas

What kind of pro passes on a podium shot?
Editor:
Last week I raced the Central Valley Classic in Fresno, California. I am a working-class Cat 3 who loves the sport and enjoys going to the big races to watch the pros compete. However, I was very disappointed with the class and management of a few big-time pro teams whose riders left after the road race, before the podium presentation.

As a businessman, I know the efforts put forward by Central Valley Cycling to put on this event. The event sponsors put up a lot of money to get pro teams to show up, giving the rest of us the chance to watch and meet the pros. I could not believe that three of the four teams that represented the top five placings - Health Net, Jelly Belly and Webcor - left the event before climbing the podium, shaking the hand of the Subaru sponsor and receiving a piece of their $5000 check for the road race.

If I were a team manager, I would demand that my riders show for the podium picture. How else are you going to communicate success to the team sponsors? It is also the least a team could do for the organization and sponsors of the race. Where is the business sense of the team management and riders? Get it together.

Keith Williams
Stockton, California

And now, a happy letter
Editor:
So many cranky web letters. How about a happy letter? When I congratulated VeloNews for putting Bobby Julich on the cover of the awards issue, I said I couldn’t help but feel the best was yet to come.

Well, Mr. Julich sure didn’t make us wait very long. The little engine that could just won Paris-Nice. Does it get any better than that? I guess we’ll find out.

Steve Rempel
Mountain View, California

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The Mailbag 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.