Reconciliation

A few weeks ago the ASO and various teams selecting their Tour de France rosters snubbed all Iowa riders. This was a big blow for many of us dreaming to go. A number of Iowa's top riders have even stopped giving it their all on the group rides as a result. One anonymous rider was quoted saying, "what's the point? I mean, I trained all winter long and I've been doing workouts like 31 repeats on 'the wall' [on Sugar Bottom rd.] to simulate Alpe D'Huez, but now I don't even feel like riding at all." Others could not be reached for comment as they were seen turning around shortly after the start of recent College Green rides.

But other riders kept fighting. Most notably was CSC's super domestique Jason McCartney. When he found out he wasn't going to the Tour, he kept doing the rides and he kept taking his pulls. And at least someone took notice. This morning, USA Cycling announced that Jason McCartney, from Coralville, Iowa, was named to his second Olympic Road race team.

So keep taking your pulls people. They just might get you a trip to the biggest races in the world.