Mr. Bahati:

I've finished a few masters races in N. Cal where there were maybe 5-6 crashes during the race, none of which i was any where near. But when the race was over said and done, there were riders that had complained to the officals about my "dangerious riding." The funny thing was none of the riders that caused the crashes or involved in those crashes were ever complained about? Hummm ...? I felt at those times a little singled out. Hummmm ...? I feel you. Anybody ever complain about the egg head that crashed at the finish of the Harlem Crit? That guy could had taken out 1/2 the field at 40+MPH. Ya feel me!

See you at Crit Nationals!

bweekes

It's good that a major figure, strong minded, like yourself can help improve our sport. For many they are afraid to speak out for fear of being outcast. In my opinion the duty of senior Pro's is to do exactly what you are doing, not just collect a check. Great move and good luck in Chi-Town.

Here is a link to some terrible news posted by a racer from the Nationals;

www.cyclingnews.com/.../08-14letters

U-23 Championship Road Race Fiasco

What the heck happened to the officiating in the men's U-23 Championship road race in Irvine, California? Why was the entire main peloton of approximately 60 riders pulled for being just 3:08 minutes behind the leader at the 70 mile mark of a 116 mile race-- one that still had over an hour and 45 minutes to go?

The response of USA Cycling officials on-the-scene was that it was the police that made this "3-minute-behind rule." When did the police start making race rules? Did anyone explain to them this is not how a road race progresses? But even if this absurd rule WAS going to be in effect, why wasn't it made clear to everyone before the race? And why wasn't it applied during the women's race?

Here's the worst part. The riders, who were prematurely told to stop racing had trained a whole year for this event and who spent their money to travel and stay in California, were completely robbed of their fair chance to compete. For many, their future contracts were at stake. The riders are owed more than an apology-- they are owed an explanation.

How does USACycling, who is supposed to control their races and represent their riders, explain this fiasco? And more importantly, what are they going to do about it?

Leslie Singer,
Little Rock, Arkansas