Final Post

This is my final blog for my class. This blog posting is not going to be related to cycling.


At first I did not know what a blog was. I found out that a blog is a website that displays in chronological order the postings by one or more individuals and usually has links to comments on specific postings. Weblogs are also personal websites that provide updated headlines and news articles of other sites that are of interest to the user, these may include journal entries, commentaries and recommendations compiled by the user. I have learned how to set up a blog and the skills to make the blog personal.


Throughout my blogging experience I have learned that others do not understand that a blog is personal opinion. Blogging opens new doors to express how one feels about different topics. My topic was cycling, and I went against the normal American’s view on doping scandals and upset other fans. Blogs cannot be taken as fact because they are not reliable sources. The only thing reliable about a blog is how people feel about different situations. Public relation workers can set up blogs to understand how people feel about a company or product. This can benefit company growth.


As long as there are computers people will have blogs. Blogs are a free way in expressing how one feels about a topic. Blogs will never become reliable sources unless an opinion is needed. I enjoyed my blogging experience and will continue to blog in the future. Blogging connects similar interest and opens doors to new ideas from other bloggers.

Basso Out Again?

Ivan Basso's chances of competing in the Tour de France could be destroyed by his implication in the Spanish doping affair. Both Basso and Ullrich were some of the first to be caught in the 2006 Tour De France’s doping scandal.


The UCI's bid to get to the bottom of the affair was boosted recently when a DNA test matched blood found in Fuentes' Madrid laboratory with Ullrich, who has claimed he is innocent and since retired from the sport. “It proved a turning point for newly-installed Tour de France chief Christian Prudhomme, who is determined to avoid the kind of controversy which deflated 2006's edition before it had even started.”


After being cleared by the Italian sports authorities of any wrongdoing, Basso - last year's Tour of Italy champion - was released by his team, CSC. He later joined the former team of Lance Armstrong, Discovery Channel, and normally the Italian would be saddling up as a hot favorite for this year's Tour de France, which begins July 7 in France. One question I have is why Basso was let go by team CSC if he was cleared of all charges, did CSC know the truth?
Prudhomme is having a meeting with managers of pro-cycling teams including Discovery Channel's Johan Bruyneel, April 25. He hopes the team managers will "do what is right for the good of the sport."


"We will only get to the end of this if we all work in unison," stated the Frenchman, wanting to work closely with UCI and the World Anti Doping Agency. "Before that happens, we will know how to deal with it," he said. "The Tour was sullied last year, and that won't happen again."


This is an example of public relations because strong willed people are standing up to doping and want all the fans to be informed on what is happening. By informing the cycling fans about who who is doping and what is being done with the one's caught, Christian Prudhomme has made it on Cycling Andrews’s “Honest” Cycling List.”



http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-3-9-15898-1,00.html

DSB Bank Women's Pro Team Presentation

An appearance of the Dutch Women’s Professional Cycling Team, DSB Bank, presented the team at a soccer stadium this week. The boss of DSB Bank Dirk Scheringa is owner of Team DSB Bank, the DSB speed skating team and AZ Alkmaar, soccer team. The sponsorship with the team of manager Henk Heetebrij and sport-director Thijs Rondhuis has a contract for the next three years.


This team has great women cyclist including the Dutch and World Champoin Marianne Vos. This dynamic team will be fun to watch as the riders become more disciplined in the sport. During the presentation the management of the team announced the entire new cyclists that have joined them this year. This motivated team as already begun the winning attitude by the results in a few of the criterium wins, the win in Köln-Schuld-Frechen, a bronze medal of Adrie Visser at the Track World Championships on the scratch and the third place of Marianne Vos in the Tour of Flanders for Woman won by Nicole Cooke ahead of Zoulfia Zabirova.


This is an example of public relations because the DSB Bank Women’s Pro Team is informing fans about their team as well as informing fans that cycling is not just a man’s sport. By informing the cycling fans about who is on the team this year the woman’s team has made it on Cycling Andrews’s “Honest” Cycling List.”

http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=10745

Ullrich: 'I'm blameless'

Jan Ullrich is stepping back from the public eye. The former 1997 Tour de France champion stated that the blood bags seized in the Spanish doping scandal was not his even though the DNA test prove that the blood was his. The Blood was seized from the Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes las year. Ullrich announced to his fans, “These latest finding changed strictly nothing of the fact that I’m blameless.”


Ullrich retired from cycling in February, 10 months after his name surfaced in Operación Puerto, leading to the German being excluded from last year's Tour de France race and sacked by T-Mobile.


"I've never lied to anyone throughout my career nor used anyone so I can't admit to an error that I have not made. I fear no procedure, no prosecutor, or federation… For me as well there are still a lot of questions which remain unanswered and until everything is cleared up I'm no longer going to comment publicly on this case."


This is an example of public relations because Ullrich is informing fans about his decisions. By informing the cycling fans about him waiting to state “the right story” instead of now the champion has made it on Cycling Andrews’s “Crime Cycling List.” If he is “Blameless” we, the fans, need to know how.


http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/12011.0.html

U.S. OPEN CYCLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

The organizers of the United States Open Cycling Champonships announced the inaugural race will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2007. There will be a national broadcast on NBC Sports at 2:30-5:00 p.m. Course maps are posted on the US Open Cycling website. Visit www.usopencycling.com for more information.


The 112-mile professional men’s race starts in historic Williamsburg at 8:10 a.m. on Francis Street in front of the colonial powder magazine. The women’s circuit race starts at 9:00 a.m. in Richmond in front of The Library of Virginia, and will finish at about 10:15 a.m. The women will race nine laps on a challenging 3-mile circuit that shares the western section of the men’s course.


According to Frankie Andreu, a veteran pro cyclist who has started and finished twelve Tour de Frances, “The climb up Libby Hill is brutal. This race is a true test and on this course, only a real champion can win.”


This is an example of public relations because this is a press release on an up coming event in the sport of cycling. By informing the cycling fans the organizers have made it on Cycling Andrews’s “Honest Cycling List.”



http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=10680

'Cyclysm' Returns

Versus was formally know as OLN (Outdoor Living Network). Outdoor Living Network was the network the covered the Tour de France but did not make much coverage of other cycling events. Since cycling is a growing sport in the United States of America, the newly named Network decided to cover more cycling events to please fans. "Cycling is a cornerstone of the network's programming and VERSUS will provide in-depth coverage of the Spring Classics leading up to, and including, the Tour de France," said Gavin Harvey, President of VERSUS. "It's a wide open competition among fierce competitors and VERSUS will be there to chronicle all the excitement of these landmark races."


The network started this year by showing the coverage of the Tour of California. During this coverage the American Levi Leipheimer rode into victory with more fans watching. ”In addition to television coverage, VERSUS.com will be a key component of the network's cycling coverage this season. On VERSUS.com viewers will find: video highlights, photos, information about each race and features and reports from VERSUS analysts and experts. And, with VERSUS on Demand, viewers will have access to race highlight packages shortly after the network premiere.” The fan population is growing in the United States because of public relations like this.


This is an example of public relations because the article is letting fans know that Verses is covering cycling events. Cycling fans are now given the opertunity to watch the sport they love. The network Versus as made it on Cycling Andrew's "Honest Cyclist List."


http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-3-10-15793-1,00.html

Millar's New Career Off To A Flying Start

The thirty year old British known doping cyclist, David Millar, just won the prologue to the 2007 Paris-Nice. David Millar is recanted doping sandals and admits that he has doped in the past. This British cyclist now knows that doping is dangerous and gives an unfair advantage against competitors. Before his admitting of doping the performance-enhancing drug EPO was found in his home. The evidence led to a two year suspension from cycling. This gave David Millar the time he needed to understand that he made errors in his past and how can clear his name. Now David Millar is one of the leading members in the fight against doping. Actions speak louder than words and David Millar recognized this. He wanted to show the world that a cyclist does not need to be doping in order to win. David Millar worked hard so he could win the prologue of the 2007 Paris-Nice, the clean way.

Winning the prologue is not the only way David Millar’s actions are speaking for him. He also is openly talking about his past doping experiments and is teaching the young cyclist the harm in doping. "In that area I think I can be a great deal of help, especially with the youth, explaining honestly what happened to me and hopefully helping them avoid making the same mistakes."

This is an example of public relations because the article is letting people know that David Millar is trying to clear his name. Newer fans might not know who David Millar is because of his two year suspension from cycling because of his doping charges. This public relation article is not only a good thing for the fight against doping but it is also good PR for the former doping cyclist in clearing his name. David Millar admits his past doping history and the public accepts him back into the sport of cycling as a hero, others might follow in his footsteps. This bad guy gone good has made it to Cycling Andrew's "Honest Cyclist List."

http://thisjustin.bicycling.com/2007/03/millars_new_car.html

UCI 100% Against Doping

On March 9, 2007 the International Cycling Union (UCI) presented its new anti-doping program called the “100% Against Doping.” This plan was first activated in Paris. Their objective is clear: “to give cycling the best anti-doping program in the world. Only clean riders should win; those who cheat should be caught; those considering trying to cheat should be discouraged. Together we can eliminate doping from our sport,” claimed Pat McQuaid, President of the International Cycling Union. The program summary includes:

“Unannounced out-of-competition tests for 100 % of riders
100 % of riders will be subject to unannounced out-of-competition tests. Out-of-competition tests will be targeted to eliminate cheats. Riders not subject to such tests in their own countries will be particularly targeted.
Blood tests for 100 % of riders
100 % of riders will be subject to blood tests before the Major Tours. 100 % of teams will undergo pre-race blood tests at least four times per year. Blood tests will be targeted to eliminate cheats. Unannounced (no-notice) tests will be organised during training sessions.
Creation of an individual profile for 100 % of riders
A haematological profile (blood) will be created for 100 % of riders. A steroid profile (urine) will be created for selected riders. An international database will be set up, in cooperation with the World Anti-DopingAgency and national anti-doping agencies.
Development of new tests in cooperation with 100 % of riders
100 % of riders will take part in an anti-doping research programme. Each year, the most relevant research will be selected for rider’s participation.
Agreement to provide DNA by 100 % of riders
100 % of riders will commit to provide a sample of their DNA if necessary, in the respect of laws and ethical rules. Samples will be used for identification purposes in the event of the discovery of suspect matter (organic matter or doping substances). Clean riders will then be able to demonstrate their commitment against doping.
The same code of conduct for 100 % of teams
100 % of riders will commit to a standard code of conduct. 100 % of riders will be subject to the code.”


This is an example of public relations because the article explains how the International Cycling Union is fighting against cheaters. Doping has become a huge problem in many sports and it has become time for the officiating bodies to put a stop to it. The problem that arose from the past Tour de France with Floyd Landis started arguments between different teams and countries. The International Cycling Union is trying to reunite the teams and countries through public relations articles.


The fight against doping and cheaters in the sport of cycling has become a spear head for all sports to follow. The leadership shown by the International Cycling Union (UCI) has made it to Cycling Andrew's “Honest Cyclist List.”

http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=10564

Jan Ullrich Announces His Retirement

Jan Ullrich has announced his retirement as a professional cyclist. At a press conference in Hamburg, Ullrich told journalists that he would be joining Austrian cycling team, Volksbank, as an advisor. Ullrich last year was charged with blood doping during the2006 Tour De France. He has always clamed his innocence the entire time. During the past seven Tour De Fances Ullrich has been on the podium with Lance Armstrong, but has never beaten the Americans. I feel that he wanted to show that he could even if that included cheating. Now he is getting too old for racing and will never have that chance.

Jan Ullrich, is he changing is ways or will he start helping his new team dope in hopes that they will beat the Americans?

This is an example of public relations because the article is letting people know that Ullrich is retiring. Fans of Ullrich can now follow him to his new team and continue to support him. Many cyclist retire and then become cpokesmen or coaches for other cycling team. I feel that many of the cyclist love the sport and cannot bring themselves to leave it. Time will tell if Ullrich will end up on Cycling Andrew's "Honest Cyclist List" or "Cycling Andrew's "Crime Cyclist List."

http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=10509

Landis, McQuaid trade barbs in press

Cycling's top official, president Pat McQuaid, has been subjected to a trial by media as he prepares for an arbitration hearing before the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency against the 2006 Tour de France winner Floyd Landis. “Every athlete who tests positive blames the system and somebody else,” said McQuaid. “Floyd's no different. Floyd has very expensive lawyers and PR people. He's doing an epic number. The public needs to understand they are hearing one side of the story.” Landis is complaining about “the lack of leadership” and his rights are not being met because they are not protecting his livelihood. "At crushing personal expense, building a team of professionals to support me is the only way I have to fight against an unfair system and unsubstantiated allegations," Landis said. "Mr. McQuaid started my trial by media when he made his leading comments about a 'worst-case scenario' adverse analytical finding on July 26. His organization continued to subject me to a public show trial when I had no information with which to defend myself by leaking test results to The New York Times, announcing the results of ‘A' samples before ‘B' confirmations, and refusing to inform me of the results of my ‘B' sample before they announced it in a press release.”

Floyd Landis has created the Floyd Fairness Fund website to get support from local cyclist enthusiast.

This is an example of public relations because the article is trying to get support for the Floyd Fairness Fund. Landis is also trying to make the United States Anti-Doping Agency look like the “bad guy.” The public relations article is trying to persuade the cycling community that Floyd Landis is not guilty of doping and the charges against him should be dropped. Floyd is trying to dig himself out of the deep hole he has put himself in.

The trial by media is starting to get out of control. Both parties are starting to plead their cases. However, Floyd Landis has no facts to back his case up. The Anti-Doping Agency informed the media to began with because the wanted the concerned citizens to know that something was being done about the doping charges. Floyd Landis doped and was caught. Now he is trying to use the media against the Anti-Doping Agency and this made it to Cycling Andrew's “Crime Cyclist List.” Mr. McQuaird, president of the agency has made it to Cycling Andrew’s “Honest Cyclist List,” because he is not backing down after this trial was brought to the media.

http://www.velonews.com/news/fea/11691.0.html

Landis blasts USADA over sample re-test bid

Floyd Landis blasted the United States Anti-Doping Agency on Friday because of doping samples from last year’s Tour they want to re-test the samples from the race as well as the sample from August. After winning the 17th stage in July, Floyd tested positive for high levels of testosterone. Floyd is upset with Travis Tygart for the tests. "They got it wrong the first time and they're trying to get it wrong again," Landis said in the statement. "My message to USADA and the LNDD is this testing should have been done right the first time." Landis has agreed not to race in France this season, giving him no chance to defend the Tour crown that could be stripped from him if the positive dope test stands. The catch is that Floyd is not able to race in this years Tour because of the surgery he underwent on his knees.

"I have not taken testosterone or any other performance enhancing substance," said Floyd.

This is an example of public relations because the article explains Floyd Landis doping charges and how the United States Anti-Doping Agency is handling this problem. The insightful public relations article is trying to inform the cycling community that cheaters will be caught. I know that the doping cyclist will start to worry if the USADA will discover their dirty little secrets. The French have been upset about the United States not taking any actions about American cyclist that dope, they do not have to be upset anymore. Many fans looked the other way when Floyd Landis won the Tour as a doper, but times have changed for good. With the actions of the United States Anti-Doping Agency and other like agencies the Tour this year should be doping and drug free. A drug free Tour will be more exciting to watch as true athletes will be competing.

I want to know what Floyd Landis is thinking. He is digging himself a hole that he will not be able to get out of. Also I have to wonder if the Cycling Federation will allow him to race in the future if the doping charges stay. Floyd Landis doped and was caught. We have to ask ourselves this question, should we allow him to stay in the sport if he does not recant. Floyd Landis has made it to Cycling Andrew's “Crime Cyclist List.”

http://www.bicycling.com/article/1,6610,s1-3-343-15701-1,00.html

Travis Tygart, USADA's General Counsel - Interview

Travis Tygart, General Counsel for United States Anti-Doping Agency, putting pressure on all sports, including cycling, to become clean sports. The USADA is best known for the doping charges against Floyd Landis this past year during the Tour De France. Travis Tygart said, "... I would like to see better cooperation between all entities and individuals interested in clean sport. If there is one thing we should all be able to agree on, it is that cheating through doping has no place in sports. The only way we are going to achieve the goal of clean sport is if ADAs, sport organizations, clean athletes and everyone else interested in the integrity of athletic competition work together in a concerted, constructive and efficient effort."

This is an example of public relations because the article was a press release that explained the United States Anti –Doping Agency is one of the good guys. Travis Tygart said, “I find that those individuals who claim anti-doping agencies (“ADAs”) are more interested in winning cases that finding the truth, are usually either defense attorneys who have a profit motive to make such claims or reporters looking to create a story and sell newspapers. Those claims are simply detached from reality. People with a true understanding of what USADA does, knows better.” The insightful public relations article is trying to help the cycling fans after the recent case with Floyd Landis understand that they are not here to make money, they are here to make the sport of cycling a safer, better sport. The cycling community is a hard community to infiltrate but infiltration is needed. People need to know that cheating does not make the races any better. Athletes need to know that the cycling community will not support cheaters once the facts of doping come out. Cyclists that have been caught doing illegal enhancements should be thrown out of the sport forever. Many cyclists tend to look the other way as the cheaters win. The United States Anti-Doping Agency will not be backing off and will make the sport of cycling a clean sport with the leadership of Travis Tygart.


This makes me proud and excited that others care about the sport of cycling and want to see it a clean sport again. Doping or enhancing drugs is cheating even if the person is not getting caught in the act. The United States Anti-Doping Agency is helping the sport of cycling catch the cheaters and this makes it to Cycling Andrew's “Honest Cyclist List.”


http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=10343

Ivan Basso exclusive: Discovering the Basso era

Ivan Basso left Team CSC after a tremendous falling out with his team over the Operación Puerto investigation in 2006. Discovery Team picked up Ivan Basso and clams that he has been focused on his training behind closed doors. Ivan Basso has broken his silence in an interview with him about his doping charges. He said he was cleared and that the cases have been officially “shelved” on October 27, 2006. When asked if he still wanted to prove his innocence to the public, Basso answered, "I don't have to show anything to anybody. If I want to show something, that would be the first mistake. Who do I have to show something to?" Ivan Basso was not allowed to race after the investigation to the end of 2006. Little do people know that that was the time Discovery Team hired him.

This is an example of public relations because the article was a press release that explained that Ivan Basso has been training with the Discovery Team and his results of doping have been cleared. The insightful public relations article is trying to help the Discovery Team to keep its fans after the retirement of Lance Armstrong. I do not know if the cycling community will be pleased as they learn of the hiring of Ivan Basso. If they do except the Discovery Team’s hiring of Ivan Basso, does enhancing drugs and doping become a part of cycling forever? People that have been caught doing illegal enhancements should be thrown out of the sport forever. Many cyclists tend to look the other way as the cheaters win. Cyclist without values or knowledge of this event will continue to support Discovery Team and its riders. The success of this public relations article will be a test in time. We will see in the next major tour which team the cycling community will support.

This makes me wonder about the rest of the Discovery Team’s members. Also I have to wonder if Lance Armstrong doped or used enhancing drugs without getting caught. We have to ask ourselves this question, why would Discovery Team want to hire a cyclist with these allocations. Discovery Team and its new member have made it to Cycling Andrew's “Crime Cyclist List.”

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2007/jan07/jan29news2

Brett's Ride Raises Record Amount

Local fundraiser bike ride for cancer research raised a record for Brenner Children’s Hospital in Winston-Salem. Brett’s Ride for Rhabdo raised $84,000 with the help of just over 700 cyclists including myself. In October of 2006 Brett’s ride for Rhabdo increased it’s giving from 2005 by more than 50% and four times the amount the first year. With the help of local cyclists this organization wants to raise $100,000 during the next ride, October 7, 2007. “We’ve come to realize there are a number of young people in this area who are affected by cancer,” Mark Gosnell said. “A large number of those kids end up at Brenner. I hope other centers will se what is being done at Brenner and the money being spent for research, and do more.”

Brett Gosnell was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma cancer and he founded this great charitable ride called Brett’s Ride. After his death his father, Mark, said he would continue this great charitable ride every year as long as one rider shows up to participate. This is one of the greatest public relations articles because it is an article that shows how a non-profit organization includes corporate and individual donors for a common goal. This public relations article keeps the cycling community pleased as they shown that supporting Brett’s Ride goes towards a good outcome. The newspaper printing this article helped Brett’s Ride for Rhabdo, a non-profit organization, thank there supports and let them know that the money was used for an excellent cause. This will bring supports back year after year.

If you or someone you know wants to contribute to the unbelievable charity started by a boy in high school please send checks to Brett’s Ride for Rhabdo, P.O. Box 5314, Hickory, NC 28603. Brett’s Ride for Rhabdo and the supports of this organization have made it to Cycling Andrew’s “Honest Cyclist List.”

http://www.hickoryrecord.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=HDR/MGArticle/HDR_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149192780126

Cannondale Voluntarily Recalls Road Bikes

Cannondale Bicycle Company recalls high end road bikes because of brake failures. The company shipped 145 bicycles to the United States and Canada that were affected with brake failure. Once they discovered the brake mounting bolt was too short they sent out a recall alert. “The recalled road bicycles are the Six 13 Team 1, Six 13 Team1/Compact Drive, Synapse Carbon SL1 compact Si crank and standard bottom bracket Dura Ace crank. Cannondale dealers sold these bikes from July 2006 to November 2006 for between $3,200 to $4,500.” By discovering their mistake early no one was hurt.

This is an example of public relations because the article was a press release that explained Cannondale’s volunteering recall. The insightful public relations article keeps the cycling community pleased as they take action for preventative measures to insure cyclist safety. If they stand up for their mistakes then people will be more willing to buy their high end bicycles from Cannondale because customers have a reason to trust the Cannondale Bicycle Company. Many cyclists tend to be a one bike brand cyclist for life, they will stay will the brand they like until they have a reason not to trust that brand. This is a successful public relations article because it informs the public about recalls and shows that Cannondale Bicycle Company cares about the safety of its costumers.

If you have one of these bicycles please fell free to contact Cannondale to find out if your serial number is on the list. Cannondale Bicycle Company has made it to Cycling Andrew's “Honest Cyclist List.”

http://www.bicycleretailer.com/bicycleretailer/headlines/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003530261

Welcome to Blogging

The topic of this blog is Cycling and the Crime within.