‘Professional cycling needs to be completely restructured’, Michael Barry
Former Team Sky cyclist, Michael Barry has suggested that professional cycling needs restructuring, through an essay he wrote for the New York Times on Monday.
Just five days ago, he confessed to doping during the time spent with Team US Postal through 2002-06.
He believes that UCI needs to work on improving the whole cycling system and the authorities must take necessary actions in order to prevent the sport from the drug abuse.
"Cyclists give in to the power above because if we speak too loudly, we risk losing our tenuous jobs; many team managers have the same fears,” he noted.
“If we speak too loudly, we are reprimanded for damaging the image of the sport that feeds us, a sport we love. So, we follow the line and feed the culture that will eventually be our ruin".
The Canadian also noted that the constant pressure on the cyclists to perform throughout the year encourages them towards using the unfair means to enhance their performance.
He explained that most of the cyclists are away from their homes for almost 200 days per year with almost 90 days of racing.
"The constant pressure to perform and to survive results in poor judgment and bad advice. When teams and riders are in constant survival mode, ethical lines are easily crossed," he voiced.
Even at home, a professional cyclist cannot really relax and has to continue his training in order to remain fit and ready to match the pace of the peloton.
Barry marked his professional debut with Team Saturn in 1999 and represented the team through 2001 season.
He accepted an offer from the American side, Team US Postal and spent the maximum number of five years with the team, through 2002-06.
Barry moved to Team T-Mobile in 2007 and helped the team with numerous top performances throughout his three year stay with the side.
He accepted an offer from the British side, Team Sky in 2010 and is continuing his third consecutive season with the team.
Even though, Michael’s time spent with Team US Postal will leave a stain on his entire professional career but he is doing the right thing by admitting to his mistakes and doing his bit to clean the sport for the coming generations.
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