THE MARY McCONNELOUG CHRONICLESJULY 14,
THE MARY McCONNELOUG CHRONICLESJULY 14,
Stan at NoTubes does more than just serve as a sponsor for Mary McConneloug and Michael Broderick. He is also their friend. Stan helped Mary and Mike all year, helping them to reach every UCI event possible to earn enough points to qualify for the Olympics. Mary and Mike relied on NoTubes products to provide a smooth ride all the way from Athens to Athens. Stans’ new low profile wheelset maximizes air volume and is used for Kenda DTC Karmas. Stans system has allowed Mike to race with an amazing 22 p.s.i. tire pressure. Mary uses 17 p.s.i.
Here is the letter Stan and Mary sent to Stan on the morning of the Marathon World Championship in Bad Goisern (Austria).
Stan,
Just wanted to update you. Mary and I went out for a dinner of lean red meat and champagne the night after the race to celebrate Mary’s achievement of her Olympic team goal. Sue Haywood, Jeremiah Bishop and the European RockShox crew, as well as some other reporters and film personnel from various venues, were our hosts.
The closeness of the results shocked us all. We thought it was a straight-up UCI points tie between Mary and Sue. We were too excited, tired, and nervous to discuss Mary’s win so we instead focused on the incredible season that had just ended, as well as the epic ride.
It was easy to determine the criteria for selection. A points tie would result in the selection criteria being reduced to World Cup points. Mary has won all of the World Cup races except one and has more World Cup point. It was clear to us all that Mary would be going to the Games. Sue congratulated Mary, and then told us that she was a true champion. She encouraged Mary to try for the Athens Gold. It was touching to see their friendship intact, despite months of intense competition. This was a great inspiration. It allowed me to once again see how mountain biking can enhance one’s character.
Mary and I couldn’t believe it in our heads that Mary was going to the Games. Although we knew all the facts and points, no official confirmation was made. We were unable to celebrate our victory and Mary and me returned to camper for a restful night.
We heard from Andrew Juskaitis (VeloNews reporter), that race promoters had changed the results the next morning. They had found another racer without a transponder, who didn’t have one on her bike or riding with one that was broken. To ensure fair play and accurate timing, all athletes must wear a transponder. We pass through several checkpoints along the course to make sure all competitors stay on track. This is crucial in a race of 100k (66 miles) with more than 300 competitors.
The course has been marked for many months so that everyone can prepare and find the best route. The Canadian Corner is the part of the course that has been significantly reduced in the USA. These are difficult for officials to spot and common. It seems possible to cut the course without detection if an athlete competes without a transponder.
Promoters said that this woman would finish between Mary and Sue, but we are unable to confirm who she is or whether she actually completed the course. We are left to wonder if it is possible to skip a section of the course without being detected and not wearing the transponder chips.
France Cycling’s point totals for Mary & Sue are also different from those on the UCI website. The UCI states that Mary would be the points leader in any case, so this sticky race scenario is a win-win situation. France Cycling would have a tie without the phantom rider. Or Mary down one point to Sue, as this riders result stands with race promoters.
We aren’t in a position to speak up, despite our emotions and instincts telling us so. We hope (GULP!) France Cycling staff will be able to ask the right questions to get to the bottom. We are merely hoping for a fair deal at this stage.
All is on hold while we wait for France Cycling to contact us. We are stuck in a rut worse than any uphill mudfield or peanut buttery one. Even the worst news is a relief to help us get off the mental rollercoaster. Our bodies and minds are exhausted and confused about what to do with our own lives.
After
It would seem that the Olympic press is almost ready to break the news on the Games.
news. We are eager to hear the rest.
Mike and Mary
