Will fans give the new kit a “+” or a “-”

Omega Pharmaceuticals has decided to change sponsorship brands for the 2007 cycling seasons. Instead of highlighting their Davitamon vitamin line, Omega is changing the brand to their Predictor pregnancy test kit. Thus the team will now ride under the Predictor-Lotto name.

So what does that mean to the kit? Well, the kit will reflect the new product’s color scheme. Pink. Actually it is called salmon but I’m a guy and my color palette is not that diverse.

This is a case of being careful of what you are asking for because, you might just get it. I lamented the overwhelming blue color scheme in the peloton. Quick Step, Discovery, Gerolsteiner, Lampre, Boygues Telecom, and Milram. Now we have a sea of pink arriving in 2007. I know, magenta and salmon.

I don’t think that the new Predictor-Lotto kits will be flying out of the bicycle shops and onto your average road warrior any day soon. You need to be real confident to straddle your bike an the foot of your driveway while neighbors pass.

Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

UCI leaks letter written to complain about leaks

CyclingNews is reporting that it has obtained a copy of UCI boss Pat McQuaid’s letter to Spanish minister of sport, Jaime Lissavetzky. In the letter, Pat blames the Spanish government for cycling’s poor image, his inability to investigate and punish evil doping riders, and probably high energy prices.

The cause of all this? Leaks. Pat McQuaid, Mr. Principle, is saying that leaks are damaging to the sport. Leaks lower the image of cycling by putting out unsubstantiated information. When information is leaked, there is no retort, no examination of evidence, it just ruins someone’s reputation.

“You understand, as we have discussed previously, this affair is doing enormous damage to the credibility of our sport,” writes McQuaid. “This began with the continuous leaks to the media of material related to the investigation all through 2006.

We cannot, as we would dearly like to do, use the information to discipline and sanction riders involved. Indeed we must legally allow these riders to continue to race throughout 2007 until this investigation concludes at which time we might, and I say might, be supplied with enough evidence to go after those riders allegedly involved.”

Thanks for the insight Pat. I’m really glad you leaked that letter. Did you cc the WADA? Floyd Landis?