Here is a link to a Velonews article about the UCI threatening the USAC with suspension over the use of radios in the United States. Wow. Did those guys at the USAC think that there wouldn’t be any repercussions from their single-mindedness.

I still haven’t seen anywhere that the UCI has sued Floyd yet. But, this is different. I’d bet they do exactly what they say in their “nasty” letter and follow up on this.

I’m still not sure why the USAC decided to take this head on. There are so many more issues that are much more important to American bike racers than allowing a few radios in NRC races. Like getting rid of the rule that more than 50% of the riders on a Domestic Pro Team has to be 27 years old and under. That is pretty much illegal, but no one seems to be too concerned about it. And there are many more things.

Whatever. Someone must have their reasons. We’ll probably find them out eventually.

I know that publications and internet sites have to write about something. They need content. But, Kristin (author) must of been a little off her game when she came up with this article and list. Here is the article from Cyclingnews.com that is all jacked up.

The feature article is about North America’s top riders to watch in 2011.

First of all, 6 out of 10 riders on the list aren’t even from North America. So it seems that the title of the article is misleading. One other, Svein Tuft, who is Canadian, ie. North American, was on a Pro Team the last few years and finished 2nd in the World Time Trial Championships a couple years ago. So, if we’re including Svein, we need to include every rider from Europe. We might as well list Chris Horner, Tejay Van Garderen, Cavendish and Cancellera.

And, Lawson Craddock? Lawson is a very good bicycle rider. But, he is 19 and last year he was a junior. I beat Lawson in a week ago Sunday in Austin, on a hard course, when I was riding on one lung. He is very young and needs some time to develop. He has a ton of potential. But, that wasn’t what this article was about.

So, Lawson is on the same list of best North American riders with Francisco Mancebo? 35 year old Francisco, who in my mind, legitimized Operation Puerto, when, on day one, when he left the 2006 Tour de France and instantly announced that he was retiring. Then, when Puerto got all messed up in red tape, came back riding for Rock Racing? It is a insult to Lawson, or any other rider, to be included on a list with him. I have no idea why he is racing in the United States. Maybe Gord can call Franciso’s partner in crime, Óscar Sevilla, and convince him to come back here to play.

Anyway, I know a lot of times I don’t really have much interesting to say. But, if you have nothing interesting to write, don’t replace it with an article that is insult to all the other riders from North America.

Trek-LIVESTRONG’s Lawson Craddock, Gavin Mannion and National PRO Champion Ben King. Ben must of not qualified for the list somehow. Maybe he’s too much from North America or just too good already.