In a message dated 2/20/2003 2:30:19 PM Eastern Standard Time, TheMaaslands@comcast.net writes:
> Why didn't you call rank on him and get him to
> prove his words?
At the time, we were both Majors and he had date of rank on me! He was also far superior in riding ability to me. I weighed 50 pounds less then and could actually hold my own in our local riding group, but he was clearly much better than all of us. I lusted after his Super Record equipped Fiorelli. I recall he said that he raced under a German name, but having looked at the rosters of the teams from the 70s TdFs, I couldn't find any names that seemed logically German that were not of well documented German riders. Although we had fun with it while we were at Ft Leavenworth, I didn't give much thought to his story until I went to Germany for my second tour from 86-89 and found other American GIs were racing in Germany on German teams. This gave credence to his claim, although the German teams were not TdF level of ability. I know some Americans were compensated, but it was mostly in the form of sponsorship and expenses. I know one guy who did win some prize money as well. These were all regional races and the U.S. riders were riding for local clubs. I don't know whether the races were considered strictly amateur or whether they had some other classification. Some of you may recall that the Tempesta bicycle I brought to Cirque last year was originally built for a U.S. member of the Frankfurt, Germany Cycling Club. Lou Deeter, Orlando FL
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