CANDIDATES for UCI Presidency ? Is this ALL there is to choose from ?

Attention " Voting Delegates of UCI Congress "!

Now that you have seen the " Manifestos of the Presidential Candidates " , you will have to ask yourselves , some questions as to where you see the UCI at various points in the next term of the UCI President !

Starting point from my perspective , is what is to be done for Women's Cycling by the UCI , and how soon?
Last Year's Edition of the New Zealand Event was cancelled , due to UCI created issues . Fault may be on ALL sides , but the Testing of " Anti doping Samples " , being required to be done in Sydney , contributed to the loss of this Important event . Will this Event be run in 2014 , or will it remain sidelined through shortsighted issues ?

Which of the 2 Candidates made the journey to the " GiroRosa ", and for how many days if they did ? What was achieved by their vist , what promises were made and were they realistic & achievable ?

Whilst this article ( http://road.cc/content/news/87366-brian-cookson-outlines-his-plans-grow-womens-cycling-if-elected-uci-president#comment-179360 ) demonstrates that Brian Cookson visited an English Event and plans to adapt the British Cycling Model to use by the UCI , what of Pat Mc Quaid's physical presence at a Women's Event in recent times ? Is it not true that ALL Women Racers have to pay annual UCI Race License Fees ?

Whilst i have lost the " link " to the " Cookson manifesto " , this item will suffice :

http://road.cc/content/news/85925-restoring-trust-leading-change-brian-cookson-launches-his-manifesto-uci

This article covers the basic points of the Mc Quaid Manifesto :
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mcquaid-releases-uci-presidency-campaign-manifesto ! With several weeks to peruse Cookson's Effort , he has changed/borrowed the Title of another UCI Document ! A Bright Future for Cycling " , now becomes " A Bright Future for a Changed Sport "! Well it is certainly a Changed Manifeto Title !

During the past years , Mc Quaid has been seen so many times in " Foot in Mouth Situations " that it has reached the point where UCI should apply a " Gag " , pay a PR Machine to espouse anything that has been sifted for Plagerism , Verbosity ,Inaccuracies and Hyperbole .

The following comment by another , speaks to many of the difficulties that Mc Quaid has created for the Credibility of the UCI :

 " Fact is the UCI protected Armstrong for years because his success fitted in with their plans to 'globalise' cycling and his 'patron saint of cancer' image was highly marketable. Armstrong's Tour wins probably also appealed to McQuaid's rather obvious Francophobia, which would also explain why McQuaid so often parroted Armstrong's distasteful 'French bashing' when faced with evidence of his doping. (To quote from one interview, "The French?" McQuaid muses, carefully choosing his words. "They're an unusual race let's say.")

Contrary to their own rules the UCI issued Armstrong with a TUE after he tested positive. They failed to act when his samples in 2001 and 2002 indicted Epo use and then collaborated with the Swiss Lab to give Armstrong the knowledge he need to beat the Epo test. They conspired to stop the French authorities from doing anti-doping tests at the Tour, then their own testers would cosily sit drinking coffee with Armstrong and his teammates for an hour or so while they 'prepared' to provide samples. McQuaid also conspired to get the robustly anti-doping Patrice Clerc removed from the ASO as part of the preparations for Armstrong's comeback. To quote McQuaid at the time "It's something I shouldn't comment on. It's an internal Amaury decision. All I would say [to Clerc] is 'goodbye,' and you can read between the lines if you like."

Actually, all the proof needed of the UCI's complicity in the Armstrong doping conspiracy can be summed up in just three words :   'The Vrigman report'.

During the recent past , " Road.cc " , a blogsite that i follow , published an article about Brian Cookson's plan to rejuvenate Womens Cycling . Amongst the comments displayed were figures on the Audience reached by the Womens Olympic Road Race . It appears from the following comment that UCI , are trying to conceal the popularity of Womens Cycling :

  "

Hi Skippy
I sent this via email as the topic is dropping off the bottom of the 
Road.cc board.

I'm the one who posted the Olympic Road Race viewing figures. I think it 
is disgraceful that the UCI chose not to publish the audience for the 
Women's event in the press release of the 18th of August last year. The only  
explanation is that the Women's audience was larger, by a THIRD, and 
people would ask questions about the UCI's committment. Rather than that 
happening,  
the UCI is happier for everyone to continue believing that the Women's 
side of the sport cannot attract a TV audience. They should be getting behind 
all cycle sport, but they obviously seem to think that success for Women is 
at Men's expense. How much longer will the sport be run by these dinosaurs?

All the best, and let's both keep annoying people,
Shaun.

Women pay Annual Fees to the UCI , and this is what they currently receive in RETURN ?

More evidence of the UCI Management , FAILING it's membership , in another important part of the Cycling Community  :

Jiri Jezek ‏@JiriJezek74 28 Jan
@christinakelkel @jodycundy after two meetings (in two years) at UCI as Athletes Com member i am frustrated, demotivated. :-(

 View conversation  Reply  Retweet  Favorite   More
 Jiri Jezek ‏@JiriJezek74 28 Jan
@jodycundy i am affraid, there is no future for #paracycling with this UCI ParaCycling Commission - #useless :-(


The " Le Tour 100th Edition " recognises the importance of Para Cycling , although , not to the extent , that i had recommended to Chris Prudhomme , over the years of requesting that he act to put Jean Marie Leblanc's shortsightedness to rights !

" Jiri jezek " will no doubt , if timed over the course of the ITT , demonstrate , that Para Athletes , even with ONLY One leg , can best Able Bodied Athletes ! Laurent Thironet , some years ago raced the final ITT of that edition of the TDF , but was not timed although escorted by a Motor Cyclist of the Guard Republican !

Murderous Intent!

Corsica used to be the home of the " Lupra " , sort of a sawn off shotgun ! These days the villains

of Corse use the car ! Simple way to dispose of Cyclists , pull up alongside , shout at them , then flick the wheel to the right , they hit the ground HARD ! Of course not ALL those that ride bikes are associated with the " Society " , variously described in Novels as the " Mafiosa " or " Costra Nostra "!

The 3 Italians riding North on the Main Road from Porte Vecchio towards Bastia , a lady and 2 Men , were heading for their Ferry home from Bastia , perhaps not even aware that the " Le Tour " would be using the same road later in the day .  Both of these men were towing a " Dog Cart " , a trailor attached to the rear wheel forks . So even IF , we are kind to the Villain of the event , and say that he was ASLEEP at the wheel , WHY , should he not be just as culpable of " ATTEMPTED MURDER "?

Getting behind the wheel of a Motor Vehicle , Large OR Small , requires the Driver to pay 100% Attention to the task at hand ! Yes , you see " Cops " riding the Government Issued Motor Bike , with " No Hands " , as i did on Stage 2 , last Sunday ! Yes , he was practicing his " Skills " , to be used in Promotion Displays , BUT , Joe Tourist , or , Mr Local , is not LICENSED , to practice these skills , in fact , i am sure tthey would be invalidating their Insurance , by this behaviour ? NO , you may not EAT at the Wheel , nor may you Smoke whilst operating a vehicle , AND there are Enforceable Laws that Penalise you for using the Telephone whilst moving ! Oh , you think it is OK to Chat whilst Driving , Text whilst Driving ? WHAT SORT OF IDIOT doesn't look at the Road whilst in control of a speeding mass of metal ? TOO MANY , it would seem !

So here are 3 people minding their business , heading up an incline , and along comes " Angry Driver ", mows down the rear man , cuts and bruises and damaged bike ! Cannons at speed into the Woman , who is thrown into the hedge at the side of the road , and narrowly misses the other man ! No doubt that this was deliberate , since the vehicle did not stop !  The following vehicle from Austria , was lucky enough to avoid colliding with the debris strewn on the road !  Further they were kind enough to render assistance and summon emergency services , who were on the scene as i arrived . Little i could do then, as i happened on the scene , just as the " Sapeur Pompiers Ambulance Vehicle " arrived . My contribution was to recommend that the Austrian Vehicle , a Mid Sized van from a well known large Austrian Tirol Transport Company ,  " Ernest Derfeser ( red/green livery , that has a fleet of Vehicles for ALL Aspects of Transport  )" , consider transporting the bikes to dockside in Bastia , since they were going to that area and there was plenty of space in the back .

Emergency vehicles , will normally refuse transporting bikes and leave your property at roadside OR at the mercies of " Well intentioned Locals "!  Who knows how you will be able to return to collect the property , left behind /disgarded , due to the negligent behaviour of those causing the accident situation, in which the victim finds themselves ?

Continuing the " Parcours " i passed a " Fete " on the left hand side of the road , about 26km from the  day's " Arrivee " of the 1st Day " Le Tour " Etappe . As i was riding about 40kph following traffic , i was confronted with a large White vehicle , swinging out of the oncoming lane , into my lane and into my face , then onto my righthand curb , causing me to swing hard into the middle of the road , narrowly missing a collision with a Gendarmerie Vehicle that had been following ! Further along the road , i felt the presence of a vehicle , then thought the Gendarmes were attempting to ask about my riding ! Lo and behold , it is a White Land rover 4x4 , of the classic style ! Mr " Perfect Driver " , is shouting at me ! There is a woman passenger , who winds down her window , then i can hear some sort of angry french patois . The turkey is red in the face , i shrug my shoulders and then he turns right into the kerb , sending me into the grass curb , off the bike and into oblivion . Next thing , i find i am being kicked by a man standing over me ! The woman is pulling his arm , screaming at him as vehicles start arriving . When i get up i try to stop the woman from getting into the vehicle , but she was able to evade me and they took off .

Whilst i am trying to find some paper to write down the Vehicle plate Number , a lady hands me the vehicle details that she has already noted ! An Angel , quick witted enough to record the pertinent details , then i recognise her . " Alexandra " , is the Premier Cycling Commentator for RAI TV . She is essentially the Face of Italian Cycling TV , these days , certainly much more attractive than Davide Cassani , and Auro Buberello, perhaps even more knowledgable also ? With Alexandra organising water , fruit and a chair and some paperwork , i am made to sit at some ease , thinking that ALL will be put to rights ? Several Gendarmerie Vehicles , stop briefly , containing High Rank Officers inquiring as to WHAT has transpired , some speed off with the Vehicle Plate Number and description , one remains , with Junior officers . By this time some of the roadside bystanders have run up with their accounts , of what they have seen . With them is their " Tour Operator Rep ", who is kind enough to take details from Alexandra so that she can continue to the " Arrivee " , to get the Day's RAI TV Show organised .

Trini , the Danish " Rep " , knows her clients and promises to email , all their contact details . Meanwhile another Gendarme arrives with " Official photographer " who films the bike , which one of the bystanders has tried go put back in some semblence of working order . He can't adjust the Broken handle bars , nor fix the broken STI Gear Levers but , at least he tried to help ? The Gendarme , is bulky and wears 2 white diagonal stripes , older and Wiser ? , than his  younger , senior colleagues and sends them on their way .

At this stage the Ambulance that i had refused arrives , they survey the scene and as i am refusing to leave the bike decide that i should fill out the " release form " that allows them to disclaim responsibility . Eventually they apply some disinfectant to the scrapes and bruises . At this point " Mr Officious Gendarme " decided i will ride to the Poretta Gendarmerie with him , there is no room for the bike in his vehicle . He refuses to speak English , so Trini is like a YoYo , with a  back and forth translation . He is getting quite irate , that he is not having his way ! Why would i have to go to the Gendarmerie of this area , to fill out a Report form/ plaint , that can be filled out in Bastia ?  BECAUSE HE SAYS SO ! Well , i explain that , " I have 70 days , according to other , more Senior Officers , to fill out this form . He tells me that it will be 5 months before i can claim on the Insurance , if i DO NOT DO AS HE SAYS ! He is deflated when i tell him that there is NO INSURANCE to be considered , that it is upto the Gendarmerie to apprehend the culprit and his woman , then , and only then , will i be able to recover monies for the damage done ! At this point he says he is going and that if i do not go with him , then i will get no further help ! Seems that he put a spoke in the wheel of the investigation , as will be seen later in this report ?

When i ride into Bastia , i find the last 5 km closed to ALL Traffic , by barriers at each roundabout , controlled by the " CRS of the Police Nationale " , i find that riding up side streets for several kilometres , then rejoining further along gets me into the last 3 km where i ride at speed between the Metal Barricades to about the 500m point . At this point i am well above 45kph in the middle of an empty road , when one of the " lunatics in Green shirts " decides to make a breakneck attempt to stop me ! Quite frankly , i would rather run him down , as i have had abuse from his sort over the past days from his Overweight & obnoxious colleagues , but good sense prevails and apart from adding to the handlebars being further out of alingment , i am brought to a halt , and escorted from the course .

With the remaining section controlled by CRS officers , there is no way of getting back over the fence , so i ride around the outside to the rear area in time to have a chat with Mario Cippolini

and Richard Virenque , who couldn't keep the smirk off his face when JaJa is mentioned . Seems that JaJa , will not be at the " Le Tour " which allows Richard more standing with the Media . Wearing the " Festina Company Shirt " on Saturday tends to suggest me is not working with " Carfours Supermarket " alone this " Le Tour "! Not speaking French , particularly well , i will not really miss hearing JaJa reporting from the Motor Cycle as he has done for many years . Richard was able to recall our riding together on the " Rest Day " , after his Victory on Mont Ventoux , but was unable to commit to a ride during this Tour . No doubt he will ride with the Celebrities on Tuesday before the Team Time Trial in Nice ? Cipo also was equally non committal although he posed for photos . Last year we were riding together at the Giro D'Italia before the ITT .

Having made the rounds of the team Busses searching out a Doctor to tend the wounds , refreshed and watered i headed down to the 100m where there were a bunch of Aussies Flags . Joined with them for a while , then went in search of " Georgethecyclist.blogspot ", whom i had encountered on the road on Wednesday and at the Teams Presentation on Thursday night . He took a shot of Phil Gilbert shaking my hand , with Cadel in the background . George & Vince ( Melbournian from previous years ), said that it looked like Phil was " THRILLED to meet Skippy " , but i think he always makes an effort with the " Punters ", pity about some like the yahoo , known as the sheriff , looks could kill , i would be dead , but then i met him when he was swallowing whatever the team told him to take ! Yeah , and pigs fly ?  Caught up with Dan Martin as he was being interviewed and scored a sour response from the Journo when i called him Chris ( boardman ) , could have been Nick ( boult ) , but they look alike , so since they do not seek me out , who cares ? " Sky lady " , not sure if she is a pretty face for the TV Screen , or has other cred , looks down on what i do for Adaptive sport , as below her dignity to talk to me , but then , each time i see her , she is spending so much time on her appearance , she has little time to think about what is happening around her !

Having found George , i took him back to the area near the Aussies and shortly after the Orica Bus grabbed attention , in a devastating way ! It brought the stage down ! ASO , organisers of the " Le Tour", publish info about the various pieces of equipment on their route , detailing clearances and roads accessabilities , so that the Vehicle drivers KNOW WHERE THEY CAN GO ! Seems that they do not always stick to their agenda , as the front of the Pullman bus scraped through until it came to an emergency halt .

After a few minutes i left my bike with George and went over to tell those that would listen , to let air out of ALL Tyres , to lower the Bus . At first , i was told to mind my business , then i got a Sapeur pompiers Ambulance Guy , to go to the Gendarme Officer i had pointed out , who then got to work organising the emptying the front tyres . When i asked him to deal with the rear tyres there was neither thanks NOR action . Meanwhile pandemonium was reigning supreme as CRS troops were rushed 150 m to the vehicle turnout . They were there to protect the " Minister of Sport " , who travelling with Chris Prudhomme , would be exiting his car , in another location . Had it been Sarkozy or President Hollande, then you could understand the " PANIC STATIONS"!

Having freed the Pullman , as the Racers arrived at the 3km to arrivee placard , on the TV , it was reversed out from under , to about 125m from the finish line , where the barricades were opened , to allow it to drivre forward off the Parcours , to take up spectator space , with the nose metres from where we were standing . Whilst talking to  " Ian, a photo Journo " , on Sunday on the 2nd Etappe Parcours , he described how the Gantry fell on his several Cameras set up at the "Arrivee Linee "! He had spent 10hrs of Saturday there , guarding his various Cameras and spot , thus he looked like a well cooked lobster , as he served me Coffee and Uploaded the photos taken by my Blackberry on Friday , when my Nikon camera had failed to work , as the " Chip Card " was 90%+ complete , thus refusing to take any more photos . This had to happen as i rode with the Radio Shack Team out of Porto and then the Lampre Team back to the Seafront and a stop at a cafe for a spot of Coffee R & R a chat with the Racers .

This photo of Damiano Cunego , is one of the photos that Ian released for me , so that i could tweet it to @dcunego , somewhat later than i had promised on that Friday .

 Now with Bakelandts , taking the Sunday Victory , i do not have the photo that i thought was captured on that ride , bummer !  Thought it was the batteries , fortunately i did not throw them away ! After the race was run , George and i headed out on the Sunday Route , with the CRS making us walk , parts of an EMPTY Road , because they could ! About 15km out of Bastia , i realised we were passing the Poretta Gendarmerie, so George continued on his way on Sunday's route towards Ajaccio , and i went to find the Gendarmerie , which turned out to be located at the Airport .

Only one Officer there , who fortunately spoke English , quite well and was very friendly , whilst ALL his Colleagues were farewelling the Minister of Sport . That was the reason that ALL the Public , could not use those sections of road , closed by the CRS , so that she would not be delayed from catching her PRIVATE JET !  Nice to be a VIP member of the Government ? After about an hour plus , several colleagues reappeared , they all had spent their day working exclusively with " Le Tour " related matters ! It turned out that MY Matter , was being handled by another Gendarmerie Office , so i would have been left kicking my heels whilst the " Le Tour " came and went . HELLO , HELLO , i am the VICTIM !

They did tell me as i set out to pedal something like a hundred plus  kilometres back to the car , that they had apprehended the " Driver of the Vehicle " , but they could not do the " Plaint " at that Office . With ALL modern technology available and the light fading fast , i really began to wonder , whether we will see this MURDEROUS Corsican , get his just deserts  .

Whilst writing this Blogpost , i am waiting for Trini , the danish lady translator of Saturday , to email me the Witness details , promised for Saturday ! Just as well i did not plan on accepting their accomodation offer in Calvi , although their Pizza lunch on Saturday that they shared with me , went down very well . Since the gendarmes left , i have found that i can ride uphill on the bike , in the lower gears , but on the flat , i can fidget with the change up  lever as i do 15kph and with luck get a higher gear , seems to depend on how hot the weather  . Mostly i am riding on the 11 cog with  the option of the 39 or 53 front chainring , but getting off the bike to change up from the 25 cog  is getting a bit annoying .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

And 6 Months LATER ? NOTHING ?

LAME DUCK President Obama , has seen about 5000 more US Citizens slaughtered as Congress refuses to assist in the means to introduce " Gun Control "! These past few days have seen the Citizens of Newtown , read the names of those lost through " Gun related Violence ", including TOO MANY Law Enforcement Personnel !

 There was some talk of the President issuing " Executive Orders " to achieve some of the necessary changes in the US Gun Culture . Not being a US Citizen , thus at risk , i have not been following the daily reports in tthe Media . However European News Reports contain enough Horror stories of Children killing their siblings and reports of Gun Merchants creating Weapons exclusively for the use of minors , to yet a general sense of the CHAOS that currently exists in the USA !

Six months ago i wrote this blog :

  http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3261573530007154931#editor/target=post;postID=7538911181675643071;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=14;src=postname

 After viewing the Sandy Hook Massacre and then seeing a " Shamefaced President " , quite obviously distressed with Powerful Emotions . Was he aware then , of how powerless , his actions were going to be ?

A week later i followed up with this post :

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3261573530007154931#editor/target=post;postID=4948859962057160539;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=13;src=postname

During that week the Media was full of the rhetoric of both sides of " Gun Control Issues " , indeed the NRA  people were shown up for what they are , totally uninterested in the WELFARE , of any but the shareholders of the Weapons manufacturers . Would it be needed for their Loved Ones to be VICTIMS of Gun Violence  , for them to see ANYONEELSE'S point of view ? Sad if that is the situation needed .

During January 2013 it became clear that the President would need to use " Executive Orders " to install some legislative changes in " Gun Control Issues " , not sure what came of those actions , but here is link to my blogpost :

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3261573530007154931#editor/target=post;postID=1752484819829750215;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=11;src=postname

THis post was the result of the Boston Marathon Massacre :

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3261573530007154931#editor/target=post;postID=3044177461150983061;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=2;src=postname

Still awaiting the Congress to ACT ?

Don't hold your breathe ! With the Mid Term Elections looming , and the costs of " posturing & preening , these days , YOUR beloved Candidates are oNCE AGAIN queueing for the dollars at the doors of the " DEATH MERCHANTS "!

The NRA !

President Obama appears to be reeling from one crisis to another at present , so i hope whilst he is in Northern Ireland , this week , he will reflect on the fact that , giving a Presidential Medal , Postumously to a Sandy Hook Teacher's Family , in no way mitigates their loss ! Good Intentions , though they may be , are nothing in the face of the EVIL , that uncontrolled Gun Ownership can inflict on the  undeserving VICTIMS in every type of Community in the USA .

DURING this same period , Cycling Sport has been subjected to CHANGE of a sort . We have seen the Oprah Interview Farce and as a side show the goings on at the UCI . Yesterday 15th June , in Dublin , phat mc quaid , was told by his Homeland Cycling Federation , that he is UNWORTHY of their continued support . As he seeks the 3rd , four year term in office as President of the UCI , he followed his previous path to Cycling Ireland , seeking the nomination . Due to a procedural defect , the original nomination was withdrawn , but an Extraordinary General Meeting was set in process , thus allowing the Total Irish cycling Community to intruct their Club Committees in how THEY wished their views be made known .

The EGM resulted in a refusal to Nominate , but whilst this result may look close , of the 70+ votes for phat , many were from delegates , with the right to make 2 votes . In a democracy , it is usually one man/club , one vote , but the C.I. constitution , like so many other Cycling Federations , contain anomalies that allow the "Old guard " to protect their overbloated opinion of their worth ,  Thanks to the hard work of the few , with the " Interests of the Many " in mind , the previously unassailabe ramparts , were thrown down .

Especial thanks to Anto Moran  
http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3261573530007154931#editor/target=post;postID=3433698163327643313;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=1;src=postname
 for having the COURAGE to go the EXTRA Mile also Colin Mc Grane , who instigated the call for the EGM ! Let's hope OTHER NAT. FED:s have similar courageous individuals ?

National Cycling Federations need to take note of this result , since there are many people out there thinking of their OWN Interests rather than those of their members . There is prestige in being a member of a Nat. Fed. , BUT , disregard YOUR Members , at YOUR PERIL !

Presently , there is now a " Two Horse Race " , both are long serving Members of the UCI Hierachy , thus will turn to those others of the 42 " Voting Delegates " for their support , to fulfill their aspirations . each has been reported as using OUTSIDE PR Organisations . WHO is paying for these EXTRA sources of assistance ? Why , when ONLY 42 delegates , can cast a VOTE , is it necessary to expend vast sums of money , even if it comes out of THEIR OWN POCKET ? That's a LAUGH , is it not ? 

WHAT IS NEEDED IS A NEW FACE , devoid of prior history and ambitions , perhaps so naive that there are no favours to be returned !

Not knowing much of this person , i would assume that , as a Mother with a young family , living in Australia and heading up an Important Foundation , Tracey Gaudry ( @GaudryT ) , has enough on her plate . Being elected to lead the Oceania Division of UCI in the past few months , she will have only recently been involved with the other 42 Voting Delegates . As a woman , she will have ideas about Women's Cycling , thus would have been quized by those interested in her views . With her attendence at Bergen , these past few days , there would have been the inevitable social gatherings , and as bees seek pollen , she would have found herself surrounded by the majority of the male delegates , seeking the views of a new member of their fraternity . 

Reports have been flying in Forums of a " Report " being introduced at this UCI Meeting from the USA , as well as a " Motion of NO CONFIDENCE in the UCI President " ! Currently , none of these items have found their way into the Media , but they will surface , eventually .

Today UCI has a " lame duck President " , who in recent days has disparaged ALL around him , thinking he is sounding " Presidential "!  phat , you have got to be kidding ! SHOULD you survive , into a 3rd term as President , WHO is going to work with you ?

If i was the UCI Admin Manager , and had the Power , i would be emptying phat's desk and changing the locks , so as to avoid ANYMORE damage , that is about to result from the next months of this wounded critter lashing out at ANY that stand in his way forward . The Media are going to be treated to a talkfest , with previously prohibited journos , now being sought so as to gain " Headlines " , in  fact any advantage good or bad , as long as it gets before the public .

Back in april i posted this item :

http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3261573530007154931#editor/target=post;postID=5615704847303495579;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=3;src=postname

Since then many others have relayed much of the same , the process of ridding Cycling of this absurb buffoon , is still months from conclusion .

LET'S ALL , give @GaudryT , a wake up call ! Cycling NEEDS YOU , a woman with the ability to swing the BROOM through Aigle , thus giving it a Spring Clean and NEW START !

CYCLING NEEDS A BRIGHT FUTURE , you TRACEY are the person for that JOB !

WHO WAS THAT ?

Spectacular achievement that it was , apart from a brief glimpse on TV , the WHEELCHAIR WARRIOR , went virtually ignored into the background , at the finish of the Giro d'Italia , on stage 20 at " Tre Cime di Laveredo , this past Saturday afternoon ! Despite a comment to the Eurosport " Live feed " , asking if it was " Zenardi ( I knew it was not ) " , there was NO reply and the comment DID NOT get published !

Had it been Zenardi , whom i have met at the Giro in past years , there would have been numerous references to his past achievements . Yes , Celebrity is necessary to wake up the Media ! Currently i still get recognition , BUT , it is of the " There's Skippy " sort . Not what i want though ! If Media come to me , the first question is " What are you planning to say about " Para Sport "?  Some of my friends/acquaintainances have seen me refuse the time , with these people , when i say that " UNLESS the bulk of the interview is about " Para Sport " , this is a waste of my time . Frankly i see no benefit to anyoner when they want to talk about me , 16 seasons of effort , condensed to a " we are not interested in the reason d'etre "? Without even being interviewed , i am getting emails , from those that see me on TV , either old footage or as background .

When interviewed by the Media , i am interested in reminding people that they can choose their own way to assist " Para Sport " , this is my way , gives some purpose to the many hardships that i endure , during these events . Believe me , it is not easy getting around the Grand Events for 23+ days and it does not pay the bills even though people are kind enough to welcome me and offer hospitality on the roadside . Even though i give people the links too this blog , i doubt many follow up to see the photos or any story of the occasion . It has been a bit disappointing on occasion to not get the email or photos , because as you will realise , there are some that i meet , that work with " Para Sport " and thus i see an opportunity to help them with their endeavours .

Media people promise a great deal , but they report/feed to the back office , so much of what they capture could become " scraps on the cutting floor " , deleted from the final cut , sent to air . Case in point , was the Sky People in Napoli , on the opening Thursday , who came looking for me in Earnest .

 Lot of that interview was about my efforts for " Para Sport " , but they persisted in seeking an answer to the question of " Sir Brad winning "! Being diplomatic , i pointed out that he had to finish the race , as he had gone home from a Grand Tour in the past , with injury ! Then i pointed out that in finishing the race , weather , competition and GOOD LUCK , would contribute factors to his being top 10 , let alone on the podium !

After finishing the interview i headed over to watch the front door at which the " Giro trophy " shortly arrived, so i went back and alerted the Sky Crew to this event . Wonder if that item , took the bulk of my interview time on " Air ", thduring thoseat is , if any was screened ?  Several other opportunities presented during those days of preparation , but unless i get an email from some part of the world , saying they saw me in certain circumstances , i regard any interview as " doubtful and a time filler "!

Certainly great to hear from Vince of Melbourne , whom i have met in Monaco and Rotterdam at " Le Tour"  in past years . There is a blog post on " How i met Skippy " , somewhere in the many Blog archives . Vince being an avid Cycling fan sent the following :

"  Skippy  i enjoyed your reports of the first stages of the Giro with accompanying photos , did you stay on travelling with the race or head off ? to warmer parts, from watching on TV the weather has been very poor for camping and riding .

Cadel has hung in well out performing most predictions of the so called experts, pass on my best wishes when you see him next   ha ha 

Were you present on the last mountain stage finish to see the wheelchair guy climb the very steep road and struggle across the line, it looked a gruelling effort and i thought of you immediately.
                                         
                                             all the best hooroo vincent

WELL Vince , i was watching also , as that courageous guy , arrived on the top , i was also hoping to see how the " Guys in the Red topped Weather Coats " , would have treated his efforts! At that time they would have been turning people off the final metres , with the excuse that the finish line was being prepared . That it was finished hours earlier , is of no consequence , since they are trying like " Le Tour " to SELL the Rights " of Tour Parties to cross the line . These days after getting shunted to the side , i walk through a variety of hazards , even getting open wounds/scratches to get to the back , then cycle down behind them . Occasionally i get to do a quick chat with those interviewing the people lining the barriers .

Sunday in San Sepulcre , i awoke to an annoyance in the right eye . There appeared to be more that the occasional bubble floating across the vision . It resembles a cobweb , hazy and dark , but not limiting vision . With the Saturday being the Individual Time Trial , i had woken at 5am and ridden the course and returned to the start and started out for a second effort . This time as i reached the start of the final ramp they tried very casually to stop me going up and about 150m  from the line i got turfed off , into a private house and collected coffee with RAI TV Personnel . It was even harder getting back to the start this time as i had lost the road riding with a guy who lived nearby andwho was driving to the " Partenza " , a prospect that was a lot more appealing than the 1 1/2hr slog , that i had already done earlier , whilst still full of energy .

Turned out this Guy was going much later in the day , so i was adrift and thus headed for the nearest " Autostrada Entry " where i watched many Team Cars roar past . Eventually i picked up a lift with some folk that were able to relate some of the Giro story as we headed North , Having been dropped at the exit it was an easier ride back to the Team Parking Area .

Sunday i bumped into a Guy , who was at several events over the years , he had emailed me photos in the past , of the personalities we encountered . This time he obliged again , but i am still awaiting those photos from that Sunday . Another guy in the Team area , was a young Aussie who stopped me in Napoli , to remind me of an occasion at " Le Tour " , where we had met before . On recollection , it was the day after a rest day , that i had helped " www.georgethecyclist.blogspot.com " , collect a Radio Shack T shirt , from Johan Bruyneel . Wonder when JB's troubles will be over ? Being in the poo with UCI seems to be a question of how long is a piece of string  .

With this eye problem , which i put down to the exertions of the previous day , i decided that the time spent at the start and the ride earlier with Gianni Motta was enough for the day , so a straight drive north to the " Rest Day Area " was the best plan . In encountering said young Aussie , i offered a ride north , seemed the decent thing to do , particularly as Firenze was forecast as stormy weather . Graciously declined though , " People are relying on me to ride the route for " Charity " , BS . But it suited me , as i planned to get around the Sponsors noth of Padua , who have provided me with Equipment over the years .

Monday 13th May , turned out to be sunny and warm and enjoyable , as all the visits landed me with New Equipment and replacements for items that were about to expire through the daily , year around trashing they receive . So thanks to Lorenzo , Antoinella , etc ! With the vists over, and no time to get to Treviso if i was to ride with the Maglia Rose , as in the past years , instead of heading for Astana , i headed for the Cannondale Team Hotel , with the intention of riding with the Team , but big fail . Once again , riding around the car park , after cleaning the bike , the front tyre , only just pumped to race pressure , blew out . Checking out the previous punctures , which were all in the same place , i discovered that the " Vittoria Rim Tape " , guaranteed to 145PSI , had been punctured , allowing the tube to meet the spoke head ! Wednesday at the Partenza in Tarvisio the Vittoria person , provided a couple of new inner tubes , but the Rim tape would have to come later . After fixing the tyre i was greeted with an invite , to join the Cannondale personnel , with their impromptu picnic . Prosecco and salsa chips , not my usual lunch time fare , but nevertheless , very tasty . As we were finishing up , the team arrived in so was able to have a brief chat with Cameron Wurf , the Aussie who i first met at the Giro del Trentino this season . Like Chris Horner , he has the perpetual smile and welcoming attitude to the amateur cyclist .

Tuesday 14th after a visit to Team Bardiani , i rode to the Partenza then rode the start of the day's route with Gianni Motta for about 40km . Along the way we passed this .Aussie who declined the invite to join the Bank Med Clients who were moving at a faster pace . During this ride , i chatted with a Guy who told me thst he was the Principal sponsor of the Italian who won 3rd place in the Cerebal Palsy Road Race at London Paralympic Games . Having given him my email address , i am disappointed that he has not as yet been in touch . After photoing him , i scooted back to the car at a town , 15km into the days stage , Casarsa , then drove to the back of the foot of the first cat 1 climb , Passo Cason . On descending on the bike from the back of the GPM there , i came across Maurizio Fondriest and Francesco Moser , leading the Bank Medlianum clients to the Mountain Top Finish , at Sella Nevea . As usual Francesco & Maurizio were climbing strongly and a stop was called at the 4km mark for a refreshment break at the Bank Med. Sponsor booth . During the ride another Guy advised that he was working with Para Sport . After about 20 mins about 8 of the original 30 set off , to fight the way through the mass at the road block . With the Rim tape problem being in my mountain wheels , i was using the sprint wheels and 42 on 21 was a tad difficult , particularly as several times a local would blunder into me spilling us both to the roadside . as it was , i managed to arrive at the top , metres behind both the Past World Champions though after having to push through my normal limits .

At the finish Francesco was allowed to ride through but i was physically pulled off my bike , so rode around the back and rode through the finish line to the 100m point and the TV commentators , who had seen the earlier action . Made several comments about " Para sport " as i watched the " Red coats , grind their teeth . Those Guys have retired from the Caribiniere , but behave like they were running G. Bay in Cuba !

Finished there , i descended to the 22km mark on the course and was welcomed by the family there , so as to watch the TV and enjoy their hospitality . During this period , their lawn was invaded by the Local TV Station , allowing me to encourage locals to support the local Para Athletes and relay the morning's story of London Paralympics . A couple of the locals had taken the day off , so took off , so as to avoid being seen on TV , seems the Giro visit was not the reason given for being away from their work ?

After the race passed i headed back to the car parked at Dogna and drove into Tarvisio where i again cleaned the bike before a walk through town looking for the Camping park . Whilst walking past an outdoor Cafe , i heard " Skippy!" , turned out to be Peter Wrolich , an Austrian Racer , retired from Pro World Cycling since 2010 . Last time i had seen him without a helmet in place was at Salzberg 2006 World Road Championships . There i had met him in the hotel Restaurant with a 2yo son , as he was there to represent Austria .

After overnight camping i rode the climb to the Partenza several times for various reasons and to pass the time . After spending time with the Medical Team and discussing the " Eye problem " with the " Giro Doctor ", i decided to accept his advice to visit an Eye Specialist . Before leaving the Partenza , i had time to ride to ride with Christian Vandevelde , who regarded the 6 month suspension as an inconvenience . Then rode down to sign on with Cameron and relayed the fact that i was ducking a few days to visit the Specialist . As i was riding up the hill back to the Team pullmans , i came across Ramunas talking to a lady friend and wished him a good day in the office , little realising , i would be watching the TV  near Lienz as he crossed the finish line as the day's winner ! Spotted Vincenzo heading to sign on , and after a sprint , managed to have a one on one chat roadside ,before he got caught up by the masses . 

After that , and as the Depart time was fast approaching , i headed down the hill and through Tarvisio like a scalded cat making the best of the slack road controls until i arrived at a cafe at Pontebba where i found some VIP Guests of the Giro devouring some sandwiches . Invited to have some water i also finished up with a box of tasty Sandwich rolls that survived for several meals . One of the Guests turned out to be the General Manager of UCI , but was in no mood to discuss " Politics "! I think he got the message that Mc quaid was not the man for the next term of office .

 With my life centred on Schwaz in Tirol , i decided that a trip through Lienz and Mittersill would get me back home and thus to my GP/Doctor . Arriving in Lienz i discovered that the Tunnel , north of lienz was closed due to rockslides caused by unseasonably heavy rains . Longer trip meant that i was knocking on my Doctor's private door in order to get the necessary paperwork for the visit to the Eye specialist the next morning . 

Thursday was a series of Medical visits as i first visited the Embolism professor to ascertain the questions and answers i should be seeeking from the Eye Specialist . Whilst in the Hospital i sought out the Dentist to see if a certain problem needed dealing with but he deferred it some more . Fortunately the Eye Specialist was able to see me before lunch , thus making the book i had taken with me on the bike , redundant .  As it now appears , the eye problem , whilst posing no threat to my long term eye sight , caused me to avoid some incredibly bad weather in Italy .

Returning home i found an email from Torino warning of Extreme Weather conditions . My host in Torino , who provided the accomodation during the 2006 Winter Games , warned that the weekend was going to be such that the Giro's plans would be disrupted , and so it turned out . I took the adviced and stayed in the warm and sunny Tirol  , whilst those paid to entertain us , suffered the extremes that Nature chose to deliver . 

This past week has been a period of uncertainty since this is the first year of 15 that i have not attended the full Giro Route . There have been years , where i have shortcut the course , like not going to the 4th stage finish in Serra San Bruno , but driving instead to Matera . Riding with Gianni Motta the opening part of the day's route at Policastro , we got to Castrocucco before i turned back to the Team Pullman area to see Taylor Phinney spend time adjusting his bike . I then rode down the course to the first climb after Sapri to watch the Racers pass my "AUSSIE ,Aussie , aussie " chant .

Matera is the site of a visit in 1999 that was a start & finish . Then the Youth Hostel was part of a Hotel , amusing since the Shimano Guy who ii find driving a Pullman on occasion these days was enraged that i was paying about 11000lire to walk through the same door his people were paying about  80000lire , for similar accomodation .

Warned of the weather patterns in Italy , the decision to return at Vincenza , became the Garda Zee and Mori , became the advice that the Passo Gavia & Passo Selvia were scratched in favour of the Tonale . suited me as the early morning start brought me to Cloz , which was on the route now broadcast . Early morning call from my Farmer friend in Cloz scuttled that plan . Some that do not listen to the weather forecasts , get to park their bike on the Passo Tonale , to impress their audience .

Well i am now sitting writing this post ,as Leyton Hewitt , has just snatched DEFEAT , from the Jaws of VICTORY , once again ! What is it with this Guy ? it is an unfavourable 5 sets to 1 down , in the final set and he is still fighting ! Aussie grit has finally appeared ?

Topping off ALL this , is the frustration of Eurosport thinking that their Viewers are willing to subscribe to their new " Eurosport Channel 2 ". Back to the " Eurosport Live ticker feed " and will they answer my question from yesterday , " WHO WAS THAT " in the Wheelchair ?

16 seasons of watching the Event Organisers being dismissive of " Para Athletes " and those that would emulate them puts me in no mood to accept , " It is too hard to find out "!

THose with Disability in 1998 were treated as second class Citizens and the 2000 Sydney Olympics , turned the corner slightly , Athens was no real progress after Chirac designated 2003 as the Year of the " Disabled " but even with progress at Beijing it was the London 2012 Paralympics that dragged " Para Sport " into the 21st Century !

TOO OFTEN Sportspeople are described as " Heroes " , yes certainly " Role Models " , BUT , Heroes are those , like that " UNNAMED WHEELCHAIR RIDER " , that quietly go/went about their task , in the expectation of no reward or recognition !

BRAVO SIR !

Next week i go to L'Alpe d'Huez , to ride the Climbs that Pro riders do once , occasionally twice in the day . THis Charity ride has thousands seekking to do it 6 times and last year raised 32 million euros . Mixing it up with the thousands of " Able bodied Riders " were 30+ Wheelchair Racers , some racing machines like that used by Zennardi in the London Para Event and others in their everyday Chair such as that used yesterday !

We are now at 5 sets ALL , Leyton has found his Backpack of Aussie Grit ! With this being in Paris , each point won by the Frenchman is receiving a " standing Ovation "! Well not quite , but you can see the crowd trying to carry their countryman over the line and Leyton does not help by adding unforced errors to his playing efforts !

Well Leyton , once again , lost ! As an Aussie , i am unhappy that he has snatched DEFEAT from the jaws of Victory ! At 5sets to 1 down , he displayed Aussie grit , got to 5 sets All , then decided , enough was enough !

Sent the following comment to Eurosport Live ticker tape feed , will they publish ?

  " Should have saved the original comment !


 What i asked yesterday was " Did anyone findout WHO the Wheelchair User was ?"

 as a result i did a blogpost in " Parrabuddy " which you can google since the moderation does not allow me to give a link ! 

 Also i commented on Leyton Hewitt snatching defeat from the Jaws of Victory ! 

Having ridden the full route of the Giro each year for 15 seasons , this was the first i had to quit thru Ill health , more than the sAvage weather ,

Respect to ALL the Racers that completed the Event !"

Comment made it to Air , but will we get the ANSWER ?

Eurosport 1 has once again appeared with the Giro , Advertised they would carry it ALL the year until i left for the Event , told people it was worth tuning in , but when i return to watch , i had to wait until the following day until y/day & today .