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.