A long prologue
According to Merriam-Webster's online dictionary, a prologue is "an introductory or preceding event or development." By that definition, we've endured an extremely long and tumultuous one so far, and there's a still a 3.3km time trial to deal with this afternoon.
I won't go into the details of the last few days, but if anyone hasn't been following things online, cyclingnews is the place to start (yes, that's me in the backseat). The end result is that five of us will be starting the race: myself, Mike Creed, Victor Hugo Pena, Fred Rodriguez, and Mario Cipollini. That last name is not a typo. Tyler Hamilton, Santiago Botero, and Oscar Sevilla will not be allowed to start. It's not my place to judge anyone's past, and I certainly wouldn't be qualified to do so anyway, but I will say that all three of those guys are great people and it's tough to see them treated like this. The reasons for exclusion seem ambiguous at best, and it just feels wrong. Regardless, I have a great deal of respect for all of them for their willingness to stand aside and support the remaining five of us as we go forward with the race. That, I think, is a real display of character.
With all of that happening in the last few days, it's been a little difficult to focus on the upcoming race, but it's time to get to it now. I'll be the second rider off in the prologue at 1:01 this afternoon. We had an unfortunate shipping snafu that kept the TT bikes from arriving here, so I'll either be on a borrowed TT bike or a road bike with clip-ons. Neither is ideal, but it's such a short event that the time lost should be minimal. After that the focus shifts to road racing. I'm excited. I have a lot of pent up energy to burn off.
That's it for now. Thanks again for all of the notes of support. I'll try to keep updates coming throughout the week.
I won't go into the details of the last few days, but if anyone hasn't been following things online, cyclingnews is the place to start (yes, that's me in the backseat). The end result is that five of us will be starting the race: myself, Mike Creed, Victor Hugo Pena, Fred Rodriguez, and Mario Cipollini. That last name is not a typo. Tyler Hamilton, Santiago Botero, and Oscar Sevilla will not be allowed to start. It's not my place to judge anyone's past, and I certainly wouldn't be qualified to do so anyway, but I will say that all three of those guys are great people and it's tough to see them treated like this. The reasons for exclusion seem ambiguous at best, and it just feels wrong. Regardless, I have a great deal of respect for all of them for their willingness to stand aside and support the remaining five of us as we go forward with the race. That, I think, is a real display of character.
With all of that happening in the last few days, it's been a little difficult to focus on the upcoming race, but it's time to get to it now. I'll be the second rider off in the prologue at 1:01 this afternoon. We had an unfortunate shipping snafu that kept the TT bikes from arriving here, so I'll either be on a borrowed TT bike or a road bike with clip-ons. Neither is ideal, but it's such a short event that the time lost should be minimal. After that the focus shifts to road racing. I'm excited. I have a lot of pent up energy to burn off.
That's it for now. Thanks again for all of the notes of support. I'll try to keep updates coming throughout the week.
posted by dougollerenshaw at 8:26 AM
8 Comments:
It is great news that you will be able to race. There are a lot of folks in Oregon that are rooting for you.
Good luck.
Doug,
I will be watching the conclusion of the sacramento stage, I only live about 5 miles from the finish. Good luck,
Steve-o
Kick some ass, Doug.
Sorry to go there but...
Michael Ball's responses regarding the riders in question seem problematic. He has said they made mistakes and deserve a second chance, but I don't think all of them have admitted to the allegations(or are necessarily guitly of them), shown remorse, and asked for forgiveness.
That would seem prerequisite to giving someone who made a mistake a second chance.
D -
Keep you head down!
Macdaddy
You look like a dragon!
Doug-O,
If I can play hookie from work, I will ride from work to the top of Mt Hamilton to see you ride.
Joseph Brody
Doug,
Thanks for taking the time to chat before and after your ride. I must confess I was more than impressed when you did your cool down ride with Cipo.
Good Luck
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