Originally Posted by Starclimber
If Ivan Basso buys one, and wears it at the Tour, PROBLEM. If American/Canadian/British/Moldavian fan buys it and wears it out on the road because he/she/it loves Lance Armstrong/Tour de France/cool looking mythically endowed cycling garb, no problem. The actual contestants have to earn it. The actual fans have to buy it.
I think this makes sense. Please slag me if I'm making no sense.
Thank you.
Actual contestants get PAID to wear what their sponsers / team tell them. If they did not then they would be free to wear whatever they wanted. People who actually race generally would not wear something like that for the exact reason posted. It does not mean that someone who does not race is wrong for wearing the jersey. Fans wear all kinds of stuff from teams, including championship stuff. If it brings interest in the sport WHO CARES.... I would not wear one though!