I’m a huge fan of the Williams’, on a personal level. Both Cory and Justin faced overt and some systemic racism trying to come up through the USAC dev program. Sponsors (up until the Williams’ and legion) sort of shrugged at the idea of someone like the Williams representing their brands. Even Rahsaan couldn’t really make it work a decade or more ago. But Rahsaan certainly paved the way for the Williams and others.
They have been huge for inclusion in cycling. They have highlighted how and why so many cyclists of color have been kept out of cycling, discouraged from excelling in cycling or simply felt that maybe their talents would be better used in another sport that is more inclusive of people who don’t look like what most euro pros look like.
For that N. American cycling is so much better off. I used to live in Atlanta…I would see very few road cyclists out ten years ago. I was back last year for training and every time I rode I would pass scores of cyclists and almost none of them were Lilly white like me. that shift is just huge. And so many people’s lives will be improved for getting into the sport, and if you ask me our sport is being improved.
The issue here is Legion. Yes it is the Williams’ creation. It is their monster. But their success domestically and their ability to finally attract sponsors allowed them to basically build out the Yankees. They had the money and momentum to attract some of the top domestic talent that wasn’t already in Europe or didn’t want to go.
That is the double edged sword here. Are they pushing other teams around in the peloton now? IDK. I think someone really needs to ask the riders on other teams. That is the journalism that needs to happen. Maybe it is a push pull situation and it has just gotten out of control. But the cycling media is regurgitating press releases of the largest player on the field right now and doing NO due diligence, no reporting. Its embarrassing frankly. I’ll attach a screenshot from the above article, which I think is just a syndication of a VeloNews article (but I digress).
The issue I feel as though everyone should have is that the L39gion statement takes no responsibility for the fisticuffs. Moreover, it tacitly defends it as ‘we are the victims here and even though we threw punches last night we are taking our ball and going home because you guys are dangerous’. Don’t @ me here, this is just how it comes off.
Again, unless you are riding in these races (I’m not) its hard to tell where the truth lies. Its important to remember that it could well be old school racism coming up against legion in the peloton, it could be everyone hates the Yankees mentality…it could be a lot of things. My point is that the cycling media needs to get on this and do some damn work. Access journalism is how this industry has worked since I started riding bikes in the 80’s…maybe its time for a bit of a change?
All this said I think we can all agree that things are often more complicated than they seem. Back stories often times contribute more to what you see on a film clip than you would like to believe. Sometimes the villain you want to see is actually the hero and vice versa. The truth will eventually out here, give it time. But I would beg anyone in the cycling media to get on this and do some less fulsome reporting and get down to brass tacks. Do some damn interviews in the bunch, anonymize it if you must. But the story, I can guarantee, is weirder and more complicated than any of us see.