HELP ME TO SUPPORT THE PARALYMPIC ATHLETES

PARRABUDDY.BLOGSPOT was started to help find a way for “Adaptive / Physically Challenged / Paralympic Cyclists ” to enjoy riding their bikes on the Daily Route of the famous Pro Tour Race Routes such as the “ Giro d’Italia " and the " Tour de France " !


Through lack of support i have been unable to achieve that goal and unless people decide to assist there is little chance that my 22nd season will be any more successful !


Tokyo2020 Paralympics was amazing for ALL , not just those participating but those who followed via the Media !


Since 2009 several other Blogs have been created to cover various other subjects !

Below is a guide to their separate purposes :

In the main Parrabuddy is about “Adaptive / Physically Challenged Sport” and Health Issues.


Skippi-cyclist is about personal issues and Road Safety Issues.


SkippyAus is about matters relating to Oz and some personal memories from my life there.


Tourdafarce & Tourdafrance are about matters relating to the Pro Tour , Racers and some personal experiences during my various visits to ride the Pro Tour routes .


Skippy (blogging) is about a variety of issues on the Internet .


NOT ALL postings arrive in their correct area but I will generally try to separate my views on Doping and Sporting Fraud from Road Safety Issues .



Comments ARE WELCOMED since this shows that those reading are interested in the subject matter ! Enjoy comments made to other blogs so wonder why only " anonymous " posts here !

Over the period of these "Blogs" I have had visibility on Twitter as “Skippydetour” and on Facebook as “Skippy Mc Carthy” where Google usually advise postings on the Blogs as they occur .

When any of you visit these Blogs I hope I am able to add value to your day and provide a source of information if not inspiration . Please consider asking your friends and contacts to add their support as many of the Para Athletes are struggling to find the resources to compete in Events at regional Levels let alone National Levels .


You the reader have the possibility to help these Amazing Athletes in your own way and contacting your National Paralympic Internet Site for relevant info is a good start !
Showing posts with label Greg LeMond. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greg LeMond. Show all posts

Sep 28, 2013

If I were Cookson ! Wish List !

A WORK IN PROGRESS ! So many Ideas , so little likelihood anyone will react and utilise them ?

With the news of Brian Cookson being elected President of the UCI , there is NEW HOPE , that this institution MAY survive ! Congrats to Brian for turning the fracas in the Congress OFF , by calling for a VOTE , thus giving phat the CHANCE he did not deserve , nor was ALLOWED under the existing UCI Constitution , to be considered as a candidate on the ballot !

One report of the day's activities :

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/uci-congress-a-rare-look-into-cyclings-inner-workings

Acting in a Presidential manner , Brian was able to cause those who thought they were in the Italian Parliament Chamber , to resume their seats , after they had gone on the rampage because of a 21 v 21 vote on an earlier " inconsequential procedural matter "!  Only phat the rat could have created the scenario where, contradicting the UCI Constitution ,for which he is PAID SALARY to uphold ! As a way to attempt to subvert that Constitution , he flew in Swiss Lawyers from Geneva ! When earlier phat sought advice , the matter appeared in the Media . The outcry was such that , even a 4yo child would realise that the advice was "tainted /slanted " , answering a NON EXISTENT QUESTION !  My previous post dealt with that matter , but then i am only a bystander with nothing to lose whichever way the matter was resolved ?

WHEN will the UCI Internal Auditors tally up the expenses generated by this " Geneva Lawyer Charade " and present the bill to phat ? Airfares , Travel expenses , Food & Accom , Entertaining Expenses as well as BILLABLE HOURS , ALL BELONG TO THE Originator ! WHY did the UCI Management Team allow phat the latitude to treat the UCI Coffers as a personal piggybank?

There are those at Aigle that joined UCI believing that their working career would be enhanced . There are so many others that left , some on a point of Principle , after they were threatened with their Work Contract being CHANGED , by the addition of " GAGGING ORDERS "! On top of all else , it appears there are those in the UCI Legal Dept that have stepped well past the line ! Many may recall the advices given the Thailand & Moroccan Feds. when they CLAIM to have introduced THEIR OWN IDEAS to be added to the UCI Constitution ? Retrospective Legislation to be added after the NOMINATION PROCESS had closed ? Yeah right , that is going to fly ? Which lunatic asylum , do they think they are working at ? Doubt they will wait for the inevitable DCM ?  AS regards the rank & file , working at Aigle , doubt that they celebrated with water when they heard that phat the rat was given the " PACK YER BAGS " by the congress !

Now that we have the semblence of SANITY returning to Aigle , it was with delight , that i read of the Appointment of 3 Vice Presidents today , each from a different Continent , BUT , especially pleased that @gaudryt was appointed VP Cycling ! AS a former Cycle Racer , she is fully aware of the needs that Womens Racing has in the Current Climate ! My comment to Velonews , contains a few ideas that could assist her getting an effective result in very little time ?

UCI Constitution WAS implemented for the " Dark Ages " , it served the purpose for the likes of phat the rat & nein fordruggen , whilst news travelled by pony express . Now that we are in the INTERNET AGE , " News " travels faster than a speeding bullet , thus there are so many things , that need to CHANGE ! It comes as no surprise to anyone that " Lawyers " are sticking their nose into every facit of Sport , endeavouring to overturn ANYTHING that their clients feel likely to restrict freedom to BEND THE RULES "!

MY WISH LIST :

New Constitution .

Independent UCI Anti Doping Unit .

Reactivate the UCIIC .

Instituting a NEW Internal Audit Team .

Replacement of the entire UCI Legal Department , through their conivance at BENDING the UCI Constitution to fit the wishes of the departing President , who drew a Salary to PRESERVE that Constitution.

Reinstitution of the New Zealand Womens Tour in 2014 , cancelled in 2013 by " Meddling & Incompetent UCI decisons . Expsansion of the Womens Pro Tour Calender to bring back Races lost through the Incompetence of those involved in the period upto 2013 .

Invoice phat for the UCI Expenditures created by his decision to treat the UCI finances as his Personal piggybank for his nefarious activities .

Create an Advisory Board composed of Team Owners , Retired Racers & Current Racers , to SPEED the implementation of Reforms in the Cycling Programs for both Womens & Mens Road Racing & other disciplines . Additional input from Paralympian Athletes , both Present & Past Athletes and Organisers.

Recognition of those creating the environment to allow Change to occur .

Removal by the IOC of the Membership that was awarded to the former President , thus avoiding further threats of Blackmail to the Sport of Cycling . Was pleasantly surprised to read Monday that the IOC , had already acted !

http://www.insidethegames.biz/sports/summer/cycling/1016280-mcquaid-officially-removed-from-list-of-international-olympic-committee-members



Below are an expansion of my views on the bullet points above :

Personally i should like to see the UCI create a constitution that is presented in the New Year , perhaps in Advance of the 2014 Tour Down Under , thus those already headed to the event , will save UCI some hefty additional expenses . In that Constitution i would state that there be 4 Vice Presidents , with ONE being elected each year at Congress , thus in 2014 , we see an addition , sorry but in 2015 , one of the three  appointed today will be seeking re election , and so forth . The Post of President in my version of the NEW Constitution can ONLY be filled by stepping up from the Vice President Position and will be ONLY for a fixed period of 4 Years , but allowing 2 extentions of 2 years , thus a maximum period in Presidential Office of 8 years . This will allow the BEST of the UCI Personnel to advance to the VP job but then have the " on the job training " necessary , even if for only one year ?

The New VP could be well employed , in running an " oversight " section , to assist the INDEPENDENT UCI ANTI DOPING UNIT ? When a Racer tests " positive " to a banned/prohibited product there should be NO DISPUTE . i want to see the 4 year Sanction that was discussed YEARS BACK ! This idea that it be changed in 2015 by WADA , is far too vague ! Having forgotten the Paralympians , it may well be that a VP-Paralympics may be required as a full time post ?

Watching today's news i see reports that University Students are utilising a " Prescription Drug " to improve their " Mental Capacities " in Study ! Yes , at Oxford , Academics claim that "  Modafinol " helps them to meet their WorkLoad ? Whilst living in the Oxford Area i rode " Chaingang " with many in the University Cycling Club , who were competing in not only Uni Cycle Races , but National Competitions of Various Countries ! Ladies from the USA , guys from Germany , as well as various parts of the UK ! Was this "Doping Product ",  on the WADA control list ?

From the above , you will see that WADA , has to oversee the various World Wide Countries ADA Programs ! There is a " catch all clause " in the WADA Code , that BANS " PEDs " , that they do not know of at the moment . It is a matter of universal knowledge that the " Blood Passport " has closed the RAMPANT DOPING , that previously existed . Nowadays the " micro dosing " , by Athletes in ALL SPORTS , appears to be the way to go . Regretably the likes of Mike Ashenden , have had to leave UCI due to the desire to impose " Banning of Info sharing " !  That appears to be a KIND way to describe what the Old UCI Management had attempted to do with the NEW Employment Contracts they imposed !

UCI Inspectors attempt to do a good job , but they only Administer the tests that their Superiors provide ! It is well known that the UCI Inspectors were not allowed to test for " EPO " at the Tour of Cal , in fact the whole Cycling World knew this fact , well before the Race started . What other PED products were they not allowed to test ?  In setting up the Blood Passport , Anne Gripper , an Aussie , was involved ,she returned to Oz but one wonders IF she can be tempted to create the INDEPENDENT UCI ANTI DOPING UNIT that Brian Cookson has espoused ?

Since the UCIIC was shut down at the end of January 2013 , i have seen @tanni_gt  refer to the doings of the UCI . She , together with her 2 Colleagues , decided to do the " Independent Job " , they were contracted for , irrespective of the " Golden Handcuffs " , that phat the rat and his lawyer buddies attempted to impose ! Having called off the UCIIC investigation , contrary to the wishes of the rest of the UCI Management Team , phat the rat , should be required to stump up the reported costs of CHF500k , take it out of his Retirement package , Brian !

Not being a UCI insider , i have no idea of the Accounting Principles that guide the Organisation . My experience of Accounting was with multi Nationals , where i was involved in constructing the future wishes of Management . Starting with Annual Budgets , they projected GROWTH over 5 & 10 year periods ! At the present , each September , Pro World Teams render Accounting Info to the UCI for the Next Season , together with other reports to justify their Status ! Last year we saw Katusha , the Russians , on the phat " sh#t list being told in one report they were GRANTED Pro World Status , then weeks later being told they were " Unethical " based on the same Documents ! Time the UCI started to THINK GROWTH , require the Pro World Teams to think FORWARD !

Jon Vaughters , that well known former Cycle Racer & professed " Doper "in the peloton , is OWNER of Garmin Team and studying the MBA , thus familiar with most of WHAT the UCI currently require . It would not be difficult for him to PROJECT an Annual Budget out to 5 or even 10 years ? Surely the other Teams are able to realise that " Living hand to mouth " is not an acceptable way to run ANY Business , let alone an Enterprise requiring upto 30 Racers and possibly as many support personnel ? Would ANY of their Sponsors be allowed to run their business in quite the same manner ? I doubt that many Pro World Teams would allow themselves to be fooled into taking Sponsorship from the neighbourhood Cycle Shop ?

In the run up to the UCI Presidential Election , there were many contributors to the phat's downfall ! He did most of the work , paid a " Media Savvy outfit " , recruited a fellow by the name of brown , who appears to be keeping the " Kimmage Funds " out of the reach of the rightful owners , bamboozelled the staff of UCI  at Aigle into acting against the best interests of the Organisation and fell out of bed each morning without a clue as to how to best serve the interests of the UCI Stakeholders ! Even after asking the Stakeholders to complete a " Survey " he still carried on in a manner calculated to turn people , who would choose to support him , into disappointed people ? Contrast this with Brian Cookson , who went on a worldwide trip to LISTEN to the views of as many Cycling Feds as possible . Yes , it cost British Cycling money , BUT , they decided to invest in this , rather unlike phat's manner of RAIDING the UCI Coffers ?

With ALL of the players from a significant cross section of the Sporting World , came many Useful and Logical Ideas ! Jaimie Fuller as CEO of Skins has not only created " Change Cycling Now " , but , recently presented a document to the IOC , which in the fulness of time , will wake up the " OLD FOGIES CLUB " ! I think that Ben Johnson , 25 years later , has made a valid point about the extent that " Doping " has grown since he was ejected from the Olympic Games in 1988 ! Since the " Donati Report " , which detailed activities upto 2006 , significant events have occured , that have caused WADA to adjust their requirements for the period beginning 2015 ! Since the document has been distributed for " Consultation " , there is CERTAINTY that " Doping Fraudsters " are already hunting out the schemes that will assist their continuing FRAUDS !

CCN brought together Greg LeMond , retired race cyclist  & Paul Kimmage , anti doping author , amongst many of the contributors . In seeking re election phat complied with the UCI Constitution initially , in that he sought the aid of the Irish Fed. . Luckily the AGM was deficient and thus @moran_anto , resigned and brought about an EGM , which rejected the Nomination . Over the years since departing the UCI , Mike Ashenden , has had cause to introduce expert commentary in respect of the UCI 's dealings in the " Anti Doping Field . When phat was first appointed to the UCI Presidency , it came about in a contest with Sylvia Schenke , regretably in losing , she found her UCI position untenable and resigned .

Already , i have Tweeted @cooksonforuci with the suggestion of an " Advisory Board  " that could work through a huge amount of Ideas to present to Tracey Gaudry :

New UCI chief Brian Cookson names 3 VPs via Now he needs to ADD Advisory board with LeMond,Moran & Schenke!

Suggest Advisory Board including and a few current road racers for ?

In addition to these notables , i suggest several Womens Team Owners , such as Krysty Scrimageur , Rochelle Gilmour , Former Racers such as Sara Carrigan & Nicole Cooke and current racers such as Marianne Vos & Bridie O'donnell .

From the Mens Teams , i would think of Jon Vaughters & Sir David brailsford as Team Manager/Owners , Former Racers such as , don't laugh , Lance Armstrong & Jan Ulrich , current Racers such as Dave Martin & Simon Gerrans .

There would also be a need for MTB & CycloCross Racers to be represented , but i am unfamiliar with those Sports , thus disinclined to add comment .

In reading the Tweets of Colin Lynch , @TTworldchamp , i realised thast i was concentrating on the Olympic Side of the UCI to the exclusion of those in the Paralympic Side ! Apologies to those of the Paralympic movement for neglecting the EQUALITY they are DUE !

All of these people selected for an " Advisory Board " would be able to address their Ideas using Multi Media links rather than Formal face to face meetings . It would be of great benefit to Cycling Sport to have the " Stakeholders Report " re introduced for inspection , since phat seems to have chosen ONLY the parts that suited his purpose  , to be made public at UCI Management Meetings ? I feel sure that the UCI would have demonstrated good sense in keeping record of " My responses "?

Truth & Reconciliation has become another point of consideration in recent days , that is why i included Lance & Jan in  the ideas for an Advisory Board . In the past couple of years i have proposed a number of "Change.org Petitions " , each of them were ignored , but surely with a change of wording the terms i have suggested may have some relevance to what the UCI would wish to achieve ?

UNION of Cyclists International: SACK the Current President , p mc quaid & Honorary President h verbruggen

Office of the Governor General of Australia: Create the means for a " Sports amnesty " in Australia .

Wada: Create an " AMNESTY in ALL SPORTS "!



THERE is far more that could be added by those reading these musings ?

FEEL FREE TO COMMENT !


This is what i posted to Facebook , after reading the latest Velonews item :

  " http://velonews.competitor.com/2013/09/news/new-uci-chief-brian-cookson-names-3-vps_304369

  "  GOOD Start ! Now add an Advisory Board that includes @GregLemond @jaimiefuller @moran_anto @Tanni_GT and a variety of CURRENT Racers from Road Race & Mtb , as well as retirees such as Nicole Cooke , Krysty Scrimageur and Rochelle Gilmour who are engaged in Team Management !

With @gaudryt's race experience and Admin Experience as the CEO of Amy Gillett Foundation , we will see Womens Cycling get a JUMP START !

NEEDED Urgently is the IMMEDIATE RESTART of the UCIIC , @tanni_gt will no doubt be excited to finish the work that phat the rat tried to stall !

Cookson needs to terminate the UCI Legal (dirty tricks inc) Dept on MONDAY ! If he installed Sylvia Schenk there would be an immediate boost in the transparency that the Sport needs !

Anna Gripper needs to be installed as the Head of the NEW INDEPENDENT ANTI DOPING UNIT , with her previous expertise , she will be able to call on the resources and experience of Mike Ashenden to IMPROVE Testing Procedures and wipe the SMUG FACETIOUS Attitudes of current DOPING RACERS ! YES , they are still there " micro dosing " there way onto the podium !

Monday Cookson needs to discover WHICH DRAWER , that phat the rat used to hide the UNPUBLISHED SANCTIONS from the 100th Le Tour ( you know , the only one they had NO RACER keen to increase their career options ) and of course the recent AMAZING VUELTA !


My Comment to INRNG :  http://inrng.com/2013/09/brian-cookson-uci-president/#comment-84783





Skippy September 27, 2013 at 4:20 pm
Having stumbled across the finish line , Cookson will have to ACT Resolutely to clean up the mess that phat the rat will lay at his feet , we can expect a huge pile of grief to flow from today’s event !
When a lawyer is flown in from Geneva , at UCI Expense , it is clear that the UCI Administration is in need of NEW GUIDELINES ! From today , a new ETHICS Committee is needed and a NEW SET OF INTERNAL AUDITORS ! Should ANY of the expenditures over the past 12 months prove to be ethical within the UCI Constitution , then THAT CONSTITUTION needs to be REWRITTEN ! Since when has Cycling had to pay for INCOMPETENCE & CRONYISM ? Even employing fraudsters is not part of the UCI Mandate ! Should that turkey , that created the Kimmage Fund , have been employed/paid by the UCI then those responsible shouls be getting a DCM !
With most Major News Networks broadcasting up until Midday about this Election , there will be Media Scrutiny as never before . Cookson CANNOT do all expected of HIM , but he can DELEGATE and ascertain that as many of his Campaign Promises are introduced expeditiously !
One thing i would like to see , is Cookson create the basis for ALL Teams to put together 5 year & 10 year Budgets ! Surely even HE will recognise the need for ALL in the SPORT to be able to follow a plan ? If individual Athletes prepare for their NEXT Olympics as they finish the current Events , then surely the Sport can do likewise ?
Doubt that Dame TanniGrey would refuse to join the other UCIIC members in beginning work on the long overdue Commission ?
People need to realise that @jaimiefuller & @moran_anto are responsible for our good fortune , without their tenacity , we would still be seeing phat the rat , sharpening his knives , as he prepared to enter a new era of diminishing the future of CYCLING SPORT ! What a shame phat was not an ethical japanese noble ? No doubt in the rear future , we will see him behaving with even more futility as he scrabbles for a semblence of dignity in the mire he has created ?
Copy of a section of Podium Cafe :
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2013/9/27/4777116/good-riddance
POSITIVE MEMORIES
Cycling is pretty healthy right now. And I hear 1941 was a good year for Chianti. Not all related items are actually caused by one another.
NEGATIVE MEMORIES
- Skirted the anti-apartheid boycott by racing in South Africa under an assumed name. Got caught and was banned from 1976 Olympics.
- Got ushered into the UCI presidency by Hein Verbruggen, that paragon of virtue.
- Took on the organizers of the grand tours, particularly Amaury Sports Organization, during the creation of the Pro Tour, over the issue of granting Pro Tour teams automatic invitations. Got his clock cleaned.
- Took on Dick Pound of the WADA, because it was time to stand up to the doping controllers.
- Ushered Lance Armstrong out the door after his confession, a few months before reports emerged of his efforts in helping conceal Armstrong's past positive tests.
- Sued journalist and ex-cyclist Paul Kimmage for being right about everything.
This is the short list. Feel free to add to it, or not.
Another newspaper's perspective on Cookson's election :

http://t.co/1a9cUgTel4  Irish Examiner !


More comments already in play , will be added later !

Dec 13, 2012

SEARCHING FOR A LEGACY ?

When the " FAT LADY sings , the Game is OVER "!  phat is currently rocking the boat , so hard , that he is about to fall out ! Weeks after the " www.changecyclingnow.org petition came about , he is finally voicing his displeasure !  Acting to preserve his legitimacy , he is on the attack , claiming that the principals of " CCN " have a biased view of the UCI and his stewardship !


Does McQuaid get up every morning and ask himself, "what stupid thing will I say today?"



Here are a few of his remarks today :

  “  It seems clear to me that their leader, Jaime Fuller (who runs the clothing company Skins) is seeking to further his own business interests," McQuaid told AFP. "Then there is a journalist who wants to promote a book coming out shortly and a haematologist who claims to have a method of detecting blood transfusions for the next Tour de France. Why are they not working with the UCI or the World Anti-Doping Agency?    ”

Copied from :  http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mcquaid-change-cycling-now-not-a-part-of-cycling

Further down the article , he asks what Greg LeMond , has done for Cycling in the past 25 years ?
  
  "  What have you done for cycling in the past 25 years?’ The answer is nothing,”

Even I , an outsider , is aware of the fact that Greg Lemond , won the 1990 " Le Tour " , then went on to create a Bike Company , apart from ALL the other matters that he has been involved with over the years ! 

A few of Greg LeMond's accomplishments , follow :


Copied from elsewhere :

 "  We will skip by Greg winning 2 Tours and a Worlds in the last 25 years - but for a man who has done "nothing" in cycling you sure did want to sue him, Right.

Also in the last 25 years (and not discussing aero bars and helmets, which most everyone readily acknowledges):

...led the Ti and Carbon revolutions (by proactively being the first to introduce them to the Pro peloton)...
...first to use drop bars
...first to use carbon forks
...first to use road suspension forks

...popularized spin bikes...

In the last 25+ years
...first to use a cycling computer
...first to use clipless pedals
...first to use hardshell helmet

He even used electronic shifting.

Now, shall we ask again who has done more for cycling when Pat doesn't even have anything in the positive column?

The question is a joke and Phat is a Pharce " .


Whilst disparaging others , phat is quick to " big himself "!

“People involved in cycling who I work with every day know what I have achieved as president.”

The feeble applause will be led by his Family , many of whom are involved with the Cycling Industry and other members of the " Swill Trough " , of which  he has control  !    

Looking at the results of this period , 1990 to present day , what has the UCI done to fight the greatest menace to Cycle Racing , " EPO " , and " Blood Doping " ? Even this year we see David George , one time member of an Armstrong Team , given a Two year Sanction for Anti Doping Offences !  Can phat claim success , when NOTHING has changed ?  Even the few advances that UCI has achieved were being created prior to phat taking the " reins "!

In recent days i have seen reports of a New Series of Races being projected to start in 2014 . This Initiative was brought about by the Czech Owner of the Quickstep Team , investing Time , Effort and Money . This Initiative is being considered favourably by the Owners of the Grand Tours . Amaury Sports Org. , owner of " Le Tour " and an investor in the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta Espana asked that UCI be involved , and thus the project was brought to tthe attention of UCI , who will now claim it as their own ?

Realising that he has lost any semblence of credibility , phat has created an additional " Stakeholders Commission " that will run independently of the " UCI Independent Commission ", which was  announced after the USADA Reasoned Decision . This Additional Commission will be conducted by the international auditing firm KPMG, a Dutch firm , which is one of the Big Four auditors . Their task : " will be to carry out a review of the governance of the UCI, as well as that of the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF) " .   There will be a report produced , in time for its findings , to be debated in the consultation process . In addition, the UCI announced the discussion topics for the Stakeholders, will be divided into four “pillars”:
 globalisation;
 anti-doping;
 riders;
 the sports calendar.

 “In addition to all this , governance issues will be considered in all four pillars.”

Last week phat called on " Stakeholders to make submissions to the UCI by the 10th December about " Cycling's Bright Future " ! I wonder whether those making submissions caused so much alarm that phat decided on this " Commission " , so as to regain some of his lost ground ? If the " Terms of Reference " are similarly narrow as those of the  " UCI Independent Commission " then my POV , is that we will see more smoke and mirrors !

Change Cycling Now has made such an impact that the " UCIIC " has called on them to make submissions . Currently there are 4600 signed to the Petition created by "" CCN " , calling for the dismissal of phat & heinous .

 Here is what Jaimie Fuller is reported to have said about the approach of " UCIIC " to " CCN " :

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ucis-independent-commission-wants-change-cycling-now-input

"We were approached immediately after yesterday's press conference in London and today I met with legal representatives of the commission," said CCN's creator, Jaimie Fuller. "I shall discuss the approach with the other members of the Change Cycling Now panel and we will consider the appropriate action."

As yet i have not seen , the reply from CCN to " UCIIC "! One thing is certain , not ALL that wish to make submissions are happy with the " Terms of Reference "!  WADA has submitted the following Tweet :
  

WADA confirms meeting with UCI independent commission lawyers and notes concerns over terms of reference 

This is the Cyclingnews article , setting out in more detail their reservations :

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wada-president-has-concerns-about-uci-independent-commission

Many other parties have expressed their disapproval of the " T of R " , since their publication .

With the Swiss Athorities considering Paul Kimmage's submissions last month , i am left wondering what phat can claim as " HIS LEGACY ",  for the years that , we , the cycling fans , have had to endure , during the period of mismanagement , under his stewardship ?

With phat claiming UCI as a democracy , i was reminded of a comment that i read today  :

"  While I think Lemond's qualifications as the UCI leader can be debated, saying "the UCI is a democracy" as a defensible argument made me laugh a bit. 

But I might be wrong, we've also had the "Democratic" republics of Congo, Korea and the Germany for comparison. They had their electoral systems in place too.

Most of the leaders of these democracies could be regarded as " Despotic " if not as " War Criminals " deserving of sentencing by the Hague Court !

Noticed some  " Clinic Comments "  about phat's latest misfire to the media :

Unread Yesterday, 21:41
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I have to say it is actually one of the funniest things I have read in cycling for a while - and when you think Pat has competition from Ligget that's quite a task.

Lets take it from the top:
Quote:
"It seems clear to me that their leader, Jaime Fuller (who runs the clothing company Skins) is seeking to further his own business interests,"
Yes Pat - that is why Fuller is suing you guys, as you and the cabal have damaged the sport.

Quote:
"Then there is a journalist who wants to promote a book coming out shortly"
Hmm, whats that book about again?

Quote:
...and a haematologist who claims to have a method of detecting blood transfusions for the next Tour de France. Why are they not working with the UCI or the World Anti-Doping Agency?”
Did Ashenden make that claim - of course not. Also, Ashenden did work with the UCI and he says you owe him some money, which he will give to the Kimmage fund.

Quote:
“They have discussed nothing with us; they only spoke of their own interests for two days in London,” McQuaid said. “They are not part of cycling, they have no mandate, no status, but they do have a conflict of interest."
Yes Pat - they are not talking with you, they are talking about you - and I doubt you would want to take their call.

Quote:
“Greg was a great cyclist who I’ve known since the time when I was the organizer of the Tour of Ireland back in the 1980s, but I would ask him: 'What have you done for cycling in the past 25 years?’ The answer is nothing,” McQuaid said. “I find it a little bit arrogant for him to say he is prepared to serve as interim president of the UCI. The UCI is a democracy, there is an electoral system in place. If he wants to, he can always seek the support of his national federation and stand for election next September.”
We will skip by Greg winning 2 Tours and a Worlds in the last 25 years - but for a man who has done "nothing" in cycling you sure did want to sue him, Right.

Quote:
“People involved in cycling who I work with every day know what I have achieved as president.”
And your family thank you for it.

Quote:
“If they say our attitude was inadequate, we’ll take the necessary measures to ensure that this sort of thing won’t happen again in the future with a big name rider,” he said. “In the USADA report on Armstrong, there were many accusations that we reject. The UCI is serene and convinced that the independent commission will show that these allegations are not justified as the UCI has always been a pioneer in the fight against doping.

“I think there is enough proof that the state of cycling is completely different today to what it was in the Armstrong era.”
So, when you say something that happened with Armstrong (woops) wouldn't happen with another big name rider we have to ignore that you were attempting to delay admitting Contadors positive?




  "  The only reason that McQuaid is still President of the UCI is that the system is not democratic. Just look at the corrupt national federations. Another great example of irony from fat Pat.
Even more relevant is the fact that Hein rigged the 2005 UCI presidential election (the only one where Pat was opposed) so Pat would win. Expect more of the same next year."

  "  After a week where we saw unbelievable stupidity with the Katusha announcement, then Alberto's amicable settlement (check the CAS language used, not by accident...), we now have Pat deciding to publicly take on CCN and rubbish an initiative which few people have heard of, let alone who is in it and what their positions are. Thanks Pat for the additional media coverage."

  "  Not sure what PR advice he got, or whether he ignored it, but all he has done, as he did by taking on Kimmage in originally announcing legal proceedings, is to give credence to the CCN cause and make a yet bigger turkey of himself in the media."

  "  Good on ya Pat, little need for fans to try to remove you, you're doing a great job furthering the cause yourself. "

CAN WE ALL , write , tweet , phone and Lobby the relevant people to observe the UCI Constitution processes ?


Patrick McQuaid's re-election as President could be the KEY ? UCI Article 51 provides sufficient access to the " removal process " !

Rather than trying to influence the majority of National Federations not to vote for McQuaid's re-election it would be more direct, more certain and economical , to concentrate on one National Federation - Cycling Ireland.


  UCI Article 51states :

1. The candidates for the presidency shall be nominated by the federation of the candidate.

The candidates for the nine other elected offices shall be nominated by the respective continental confederations.

2. Under penalty of inadmissibility, the nominations must be written in English or in French and deposited at the registered office of the UCI ninety days prior to the date of the Congress.
Kneecap McQuaid by lobbying Cycling Ireland to not nominate McQuaid for re-election in 2013.





FINALLY , i found a report of the letter to Katusha , from the " Licencing Commission "!

 Nothing to do with " UCI " ?

This tweet has the link , to the photo of the letter , which i am unable to copy :

"Dear Katusha we'll explain things soon". Note the non-UCI letterhead, Licence Commission semi-independent from UCI

Those interested in HOW Pro World TEAMS ARE SELECTED ", can check out the following :






EMAIL comments to Sky News today ; Friday 14 Dec 2012 :

1/

  "  Watching your report at 930GMT on Sky News , in Austria , i saw your footage of " Pat Mc Quaid's " views on Greg Lemond !

My blog www.parrabuddy.blogspot.com reveals more for your " OVERWORKED staff " to consider !
Also a visit to www.changecyclingnow.org will reveal the extent that Mc Quaid is out of step with the truth of his situation !

Will post this to the blog , since i doubt that your people will show other than bias to Mc Quaid ( I call him phat , as do others ) & co !

Now changing channel to ORF to watch the skiing ! Perhaps your team would find that there are Brits interested in Chemmy & others ?



FYI : this comment required numerous pages in your website to find ! Used 12MB at 16byte/sec ! OUTRAGEOUS that you make it so difficult for the " public " to express their POV !"

2/


http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,,16299_8309970,00.html

Can see why NOBODY saw fit to reply to this biased report !

Saw the Sky News report at 9.30GMT , today , showing "phat Mc Quaid's  " derogatory remarks about Greg LeMond and suggest you read www.parrabuddy.blogspot.com to get a clearer picture of what is " REALLY GOING ON "!

Fact is " phat is on the fire " , now looking at an exit strategy , though will likely be " dragged out " of his mismanaged position ! Falling on his " Sword in an honourable way " is unlikely !

Signing onto the www.changecyclingnow.org Petition will help to speed his exit !

Add yourself to the following also :

http://www.change.org/petitions/wada-create-an-amnesty-in-all-sports …
&
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/office-of-the-governor-general-of-australia-create-the-means-for-a-sports-amnesty-in-australia#invite …

http://www.facebook.com/AmnestyForAllSportsAthletesNow?skip_nax_wizard=true

Sky Sports response :
Server Busy

Sorry, the servers are currently under heavy load; Your View has been disabled.
Please try again later

Do they think i want to waste another 20MB on people that ONLY report ONE side of a story ?


Those hearing of the successful " YORKSHIRE " Le Bid " can visit my post in August , when i rode with Francesco Moser ! Photos of us both wearing the " Le Bid shirt in St Johan in Tirol , are to be found there !



Saturday 15th DEC

Sad to see that Newtown , CT , USA , was visited by Evil , that is allowed to continue to exist , because the " NRA Org. " , is funding any politician , that advocates in favour of the Second Amendment !

GO TO :

http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/president-of-united-states-of-america-repeal-the-2nd-amendment

Help to change the GUN CULTURE  , NOW ! 

 More of my views on this matter in :    www.skippyaus.blogspot.com

Dec 5, 2012

ROME BURNING ? Nero ( phat ) tinkering !

Searching for the life lines , phat is now canvassing for assistance to create a NEW Version of " Cycling's bright future " ! As those that visit here regularly , i like to predict future events .  Yesterday morning after seeing several News networks carrying stories relating to " ChangeCyclingNow.org " and Greg LeMond being pressured into making a run for UCI President , i commented to an article i read , that phat would try to reclaim the headlines . Seems he did call a pressie , but , nobody important , seems to have reported this event , yawn , although Cyclingnews Forum started a thread .

During November , Skins the Compression clothing Company , issued actions against UCI , claiming damages of US$2M !  Following up on this Jaime Fuller created an opportunity for Stakeholders to meet in London last weekend . Out of this meeting of notable personalities , including Former Racers , Journalists , Cycling Personalities , etc , came a " Charter of the Willing ", link here :

 http://www.changecyclingnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Charter-of-the-Willing.pdf

Jaime Fuller was successful in gathering a number of " Cycling VIP's " that attracted the media's interest thus at the conclusion Monday Night the Cameras and Sporting Commentators had a worthwhile story to run with on Tuesday . When the likes of the Aljazeera Network get involved , it is either a " Slow News Day " or the story is worthwhile . Before starting this post i looked at the website ( www.changecyclingnow.org ) and saw that 2338 had joined the petition , i had signed in around the 400 mark , so was pleased to see that " CCN " had attracted further interest . Contrast this with my petitions advocating much of the same message , but so far ignored :


http://www.change.org/petitions/wada-create-an-amnesty-in-all-sports …
&
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/office-of-the-governor-general-of-australia-create-the-means-for-a-sports-amnesty-in-australia#invite …

UCI Management is currently creating difficulties for Professional Teams because they insist on waiting until 10th December to announce the final Pro World Teams . Can you imagine the dfifficulties that Sponsors , the Life Blood of the Cycling Industry , are suffering ? Teams cannot get their Uniforms made , let alone book Flights , Accomodation and Events ! Can you think of any other Industry that suffers this scale of disorganisation ?  Unbelievably a Racer has come out with comment on this pathetic affair :

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/roy-calls-for-worldtour-clarity

OMERTA is the " Hot Subject " amongst the Tifosi/fans , and there has been deafening silence from Racers about the outcomes from the " USADA Reasoned Decision " . So for a French Racer to blog about UCI causing his Team and thus himself " difficulties " , takes a great deal of courage .  Further evidence of a Racers frustration comes with the disclosure of the preference for another " Ranking System :  cqranking.com "       The Frenchman noted that within the peloton, riders place greater store on the rankings compiled by cqranking.comthan on the WorldTour standings, where “a leader like Thomas Voeckler doesn’t feature and only a minority of races are counted.”

 Jérémy Roy’s FDJ team has been down this path in previous years . I have always thought that this team was one of the more worthwhile and successful teams , could be that Brad Mc Gee , being an Aussie on this Team from my first meeting him in Rome in 2000 , has biased my thinking . Many's the time Jeremy would call to the Aussies , " your grandfather is here " , as i arrived at the team vehicles or Hotel . One wonders if , in highlighting these difficulties , FDJ Team , will find itself in the Pro Conti level next season ? Would be the petty way , phat reacts to criticism , as seen by the treatment of Boyer . 

During the " CCN Meeting " , it was revealed that Eric Boyer , a previous holder of the job , Jon Vaughters currently holds until march , contacted phat . In his position as President of the Teams Association and received a Strong Rebuke and threats of Adverse Action against him !  Eric Boyer reveals that "UCI "is controlling Cycling in the most cynical way possible ! Following the same tactics over the last 20+ years it has caused ALL the problems that are now coming home to roost ! 

 This quote from a member of the " CCN Meeting " : " When you hear Eric Boyer, say what he said just now, that he rings the UCI on Lance Armstrong’s return, if I heard him correctly , and says I have a problem as head of the teams, with a guy coming back who has not been part of our biological scheme who can come back when we don’t know what his blood values are for the last three months " . And for asking that question he gets bullied by the head of the UCI. That’s frightening. Can you see the UCI reforming? Of course it can. Can it reform with Pat McQuaid as the President? That reform would have no credibility !  When the President of the " UCI " behaves like this , one wonders if this is not a Criminal Act of Conspiracy "?

Earlier in the year it was reported that in 2011 , the " Honourary president for Life of UCI ", one known as heinous , said the following :   

   Verbruggen said :  " 'J'ai les moyens de vous faire un coureur positif quand je veux...' (french ) ! translates as :
'I have the means to make you a rider positive when I want to'

Is this not also a threat of Conspiracy ?

How much evidence do the Swiss Authorities require to act against these " poor examples of Humanity "? The action begun by Paul Kimmage , must be reaching the point where the Swiss decide , what they propose to do with the information passed to them in November ?

Amusing to see that there are facial similarities between Greg & heinous ? World of difference in their mindset , however !  Greg is reluctant to get involved for longer than is necessary to find the " More suitable Candidate " , whilst heinous , is clinging to his " honourary Presidency "!

Occasionally we hear of people asking " WHY the Hurry "?

Fact is that " SPONSORS " deserve better , RABOBANK is a long time Sponsor and has chosen to walk away .

HOW MANY MORE WILL FOLLOW ?







NB posted a comment several times to the Cyclingnews Article :

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/q-and-a-david-walsh-on-changing-cycling-lance-armstrong-and-his-own-fan-days

Love to know why David Benson did not publish this :


 " What is wrong with it , that you do not publish ?
 Why the censorship ?
 My comment :Boyer reveals that "UCI "is controlling Cycling in the most cynical way possible ! Following the same tactics over the last 20+ years it has caused ALL the problems that are now coming home to roost !

Media hacks , with very few exceptions , toed the line knowing that their jobs depended on access . Shame they are only now awakening to the power that they can exert . Will they utilise this power , to cause the phats of aigle to quit the scene , without the whole Cycling Industry being thrown into disarray ?

Amusing to see that there are facial similarities between Greg & heinous ? World of difference in their mindset however !

Get to " www.changecyclingnow.org " , join the 1925+ already signed on and record your disgust of the current mismanagement tactics of the phats of aigle !

take a look at the following petitions , every little helps to toss the trash out of our SPORT !

http://www.change.org/petitions/wada-create-an-amnesty-in-all-sports …
&
http://www.change.org/en-GB/petitions/office-of-the-governor-general-of-australia-create-the-means-for-a-sports-amnesty-in-australia#invite …

ACT NOW !"

Could it be that he is biased against Dublin born Aussies ? Joking of course !

These comments did get published  amongst others :
Andrew Smith22 hours ago
Igor Makarov or Tchmil? Why the hell would they be next in line for President of the UCI?
ProfTournesol13 hours ago
Andrew surely you weren't expecting democracy from the UCI? It's more like an old boys club where the Presidency is passed from one crony to the next behind a veneer of democracy




Oct 26, 2012

Is this the answer to doping?


Just as this week winds down , the news breaks that the UCI Management Meeting has suspended the action against Paul Kimmage ! They also announced that an External Inquiry will be conducted into UCI’s involvement in the “ Armstrong saga “!

Of course those with vested interests will “ spin  “ the story to suit their individual purposes . Whilst the “ Official news Bulletin “ will say one thing , reality will dictate another . Those with long memories will recall the aftermath of the “ Festina Affair “?

WADA was a result of the IOC meeting in 1999 , when Samaranch was “ Head Honcho “ of IOC . Aside from this the UCI had Bjarne Riis head up a dope clean up commission ! Little did UCI know , that Riis would reveal , years later , that his Tour de France win in 1996 , was fuelled by PEDs ?

In 2006 there was another “ External Report “ conducted by Vrijmen !  Anyone want to bet this “ New  External Commission “ will be like the Vrijmen report  ? “ Cover you’re A$$ “ , time will be announced in the week of 5th November , Guy Fawkes day for the Brits !

Coming out of the meeting , Tom Lund of the Danish Cycling Union stated :

   "  I expect that it will become crystal clear what the role of the UCI has been in this. And I hope and believe that the duty to run the sport of cycling has been managed in an honest way. If the UCI has not it will be discovered by the commission and then the implicated persons must take the consequence afterwards ".

Further stated that :
  “  In the week of November 5th , the UCI will decide which independent body will choose the members of the investigation committee. Tom Lund hopes and believes that the international court of sport CAS will be chosen. “

Recent days have seen many comments and articles attributed to Greg LeMond , along the lines of “ The problem for sport is not drugs but corruption “ . Prominent was this Open letter to Pat Mc Quaid :

http://nyvelocity.com/content/features/2012/open-letter-pat-mcquaid-greg-lemond#comment-107230

Many of you will know that I reported Greg’s donation to the “ Paul Kimmage Defence Fund “in earlier Blog Posts . This week not only Cash Support was offered but Greg is providing a detailed dossier of information on UCI matters . Could this have swayed the UCI Delegates to cause the “ phats of aigle “ to temporarily stay their court action ?

Whilst the “ Paul fund “ is in excess of US$70k , there are other matters continuing . The Petition that calls for the resignation of heinous & phat , has close to 600 signatories and I have added another in recent days .

The “ Change.org Petition “ that I created is to be found here and needs YOUR SUPPORT !
                       
                                                    http://t.co/oFWgsHA7


Do any of you recall a Science fiction Movie , where a minature / microscopic submarine , was inserted into the bloodstream of a patient in a hospital procedure ?

Well the following idea was floated in the Cyclingnews forum recently !

http://forum.cyclingnews.com/showthread.php?t=19165

 “  Just flying a kite here....

Things we know.
(i) Almost every attempt to manipulate blood by EPO or transfusions have transitional changes in blood readings.
(ii) The "glow" times and infrequent testing mean it is possible to hide transitional values.
(iii) It is hard to increase the rate of testing because of the difficulties in taking and process samples.

Idea
(i) Chipping is in essence a safe process - so animals are traced by insertion of a chip under the skin. There do not appear to be side effects that I know of.
(ii) Biosensors ( I was involved in the technology 15 years ago, were even then good at sniffing specific chemicals (and no doubt other biophysical properties could be measured too)

So..
If you wants to be a pro rider.

(i) You have a bionsensor chip implanted.
(ii) It measures biophysical properties (like blood cell count densities, pressures, sniffs for specific chemicals)
(ii) It is scanned remotely at intervals along a race, much like timing chips are on marathons.
(iiii)All serious training venues have a scanner.
(iv) Riders are provided with a remotely interrogated scanning box in the places they live, which they can carry with them if they travel. Downloaded when they are near a WIFI
(v) So blood passports are no longer a few readings a year, they are twice a day - inded could be every hour, stored on the chip until downloaded, the information downloaded once a day.
(vi) Riders who say "no" are subjected to more frequent blood and urine tests they pay for...they would soon get the point - this is much cheaper.
(vii) Encode the readings so riders cannot see their own test data..

Drug testing 24/7 = I am sure the technology can be done.

Question is .
Assuming it WAS possible...
(i) Is it too much of an intrusion of privacy?
(ii) Are the lifestyle constraints (seemingly few) it would impose practical?
(iii) How could it be cheated?
(iv) What then would be the process for a "positive"

My suggestion
(i) Develop it - test it in animals. It may take a couple of years, but animal testing is not a great issue because it should not harm the animal.
(ii) Trial it, and after a year of riders evaluating it.
(iii) Make it compulsory on every grand tour.
You can say "no", it is up to you...you just don't get to ride a grand tour if you do!

Discuss.
It needs a year 2012 solution, not a throwback to 1995
If it was simply monitoring haematocrit, internally optically..that would be a good start.
****ing in bottles and taking blood samples should be a thing of the past! EXCEPT to confirm other results. Ie if haemocrit has jumped..

Stupid idea? Worth thinking about?
Pro riders - if all it was was a chip under the skin - would you object to the principle, so long as you did not have to "do anything" other than pass near a scanner occasionally to upload the information? "