Maui5150 wrote:
I understand Rev3s decision. I don't agree with it, but that is my own opinion.
The decision to race the Half/Full obviously to me came from Lance himself by way of the Ullman Foundation and one only has to look at the ties between LA, Doug Ullman, and the Ulman foundation to understand that they are far from an arms-length separation.
Rev3 has done a lot to fight cancer, especially teen cancer over the years. Many of their staff spent the winter/spring running across America to raise funds, and in some ways, with the delusional fan boys that are out there with plastic pro-doping bracelets, possibly the participation raised more money for the fight.
I think the Half/Full is really more about Cancer than competition, so I give them a pass for that, what they do in the future will shape my opinion more.
I also think it is a difficult position to be put in in terms of promotion, recognition, and the same, but know that Charlie made his decisions based upon what he saw as the best possible way to raise the most money to fight cancer and support those who are either fighting it, or have lost the battle, or have loved ones in that position.
300 more signups, and prolly 100 tickets paid for at $~45 a piece for "Lance Unplugged" and then about $12k raised on auction stuff at the event. There's no doubt Lance was good for Half Full from that aspect. But I also think if cancer was his #1, and he was doing this to repay Doug, scheduling this as soon as the lawsuit started, and instead of racing, signing autos, and bringing out some of his star powered friends to hand out finish line awards, etc. He could have maybe gotten even more sign ups.
I talked to everyone but Charlie about the issue this weekend (quietly, and not complaining, I asked questions and listened). I don't disagree they market it as more about cancer than competition, but if that was really true, they wouldnt put together a course that difficult. That's the toughest bike other than Quassy in the Rev3 series.
Finally, I too give Rev3 a pass, especially considering the lengths they went to in order to get the Olympic race sanctioned. USAT was resistant and it was a lot of back and forth and scheduling changes to make it all work.