The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.

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Don't overlook Paolo
Dear VeloNews,
I thoroughly enjoy John Wilcockson's articles on the history of cycling,and look forward to his periodic features. However, I must say thatI believe Mr. Wilcockson erred inhis May 6th Giro d'Italia preview. His strategy for the variousstages to pick up time before the mountains was very accurate and on point,but he selected the wrong rider and team to implement that strategy.I believe that it is more likely that Paolo Savoldelli and DiscoveryChannel will pick up time in the prologue (done), stage 3 (gained a fewseconds on some of the climbers), team time trial (Thursday) and individualtime trial (stage 11). Savoldelli's gains will be enough to allowhim to measure his efforts in the mountains as he did in the 2005 Giroand 2006 Tour of Romandie prior to dropping out due to illness. Donot discount Savoldelli and the proven formula of the Discovery squad.Look for Paolo in pink in Milano.
Richard Henderson
Highlands Ranch, ColoradoIt's all about the socks!
Hello,
It's nice to see the members of the Discovery Channel team followingin Lance's footsteps -- literally. Checkout the black socks in this photo of Paolo Salvodelli!
Cheers,
Arlo Leach
Chicago, IlinoisDid Lance get a golden ticket?
Dear Mr. Armstrong,
I have been a fan of yours for many years and closely followed allof your seven Tour de France victories.As a runner, I was very intrigued by your recent announcement to runthe New York City Marathon on November 5th, 2006, as I am also consideringrunning the race. However, I cannot finalize my plans untilmid-June, after the results of the lottery are posted. You see, entryinto the New York City Marathon is done by lottery. There are manymore applications than available slots for this race. I know several runnersthat have not gotten in during years past.Let me ask you, Mr. Armstrong, how did you gain entry into thisvery popular event? Please tell me you did not use your celebritystatus to somehow bypass the lottery system. Doing so not only destroysthe integrity of the race, but also denies an opportunity for athleteshoping for an entry, such as myself.I also heard that you were considering trying your hand at the HawaiiIronman World Championships. This event, along with the Boston Marathon,have qualifying standards which all entrants must meet (although the HawaiiIronman does make available a small number of slots thru a lottery system).Please do not try to use your celebrity status to gain entry into eventssuch as these and take away a spot from another deserving individual.If you want to participate, qualify first. Given your background,I'm sure you'll have no problem doing so.
So, Lance, how did you get into New York?
Dane Kuta
Cardiff by the Sea, CaliforniaCall us crazy, Dane, but we're gonna go out on a limb here and ventureto say that we think that even if you go ahead and win just oneTour de France, the organizers of the New York City Marathon might justlet you skip the lottery, too. - Editor

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The Mailbag is a regular feature on VeloNews.com. If you have a comment, an opinion or observation regarding anything you have seen in cycling, in VeloNews magazine or on VeloNews.com, write to WebLetters@InsideInc.com. Please include your full name and home town. Letters may be edited for length and clarity.