Open letter from A.J. Smith (Race2Replace)
 

Note to Mr. Smith: Brevity is the essence of wit.

Well said.

Doesn't do much to get that foot out of his mouth, does it?

I like how he says he's not calling anyone a cheater but goes right on to do just that. Thanks for the laugh.

guy is an idiot. Even with handlers helping him write, he still steps in it.

Now to the haters! If you have never been a pro, are not a pro now, and never plan on being one, then keep your mouth shut! This little problem does not affect your entire life and career like it does for us. If you are in that category, then please feel free to ***** me out and call me whatever you like, as I am sure I deserve it for something. Also, instead of crashing me next season, just try and beat me. That will hurt my ego much more.


He conveniently ignores that professional cycling only exists to the extent that fans care about it.

And suddenly, everyone knows who A.J. Smith is.

There is no such thing as bad publicity.

I'm two for two on truisms in this thread!

Noble goal, bad execution.

I dont' see what's so bad about this article. is he pushing some buttons on some people, or what?

So, he just pulled a Britney crotch-flash?

Brilliant!

With the exception of the last paragraph, I liked it allot.

Okay, so Dude has some talent. However his past success was on the track AND as a junior. Has he shown us anything to suggest he's going to be anymore successful than even Marty Nothstein was on the road? I don't see any evidence of that.

He talks about how only people who are pros have any justification to criticize him. He's a pro in name only - free bike, travel expenses and likely not much else. His pro license doesn't place him above criticism; in fact it only opens him up to more. Heck, we're on here ripping Levi Leipheimer a new one almost every day and he's been on the Vuelta podium. All I'm saying is at least win a few 60-minute crits before you proclaim yourself the next George Hincapie.

AJ needs to get a grip.

I didn't see AJ Smith at Elk Grove or Downer's Grove. If he's so bad ass, where the hell was he at the two biggest crits (money and result-wise) of the year?

I don't think he knows a damn thing about professional racing in Europe. Winning some circuit races and being a junior national champion on the track are not going to compare to the lowest level of pro racing in Europe. Junior (age when most are not cycling in the U.S., and not developed) national champions, track (especially sprints, not much relation to the road) or otherwise should be a little more thoughtful in what they say.

Beating the two dudes (who were on TT bikes with drop bars) when not putting in your fair share of the work, and then talking about how he basically isn't thankful for the opportunity is extremely disrespectful. Bryce Mead got robbed by a clown.

I declare AJ Smith to be a punkass. There, I said it.

This guy needs to take his own advice and shut up.

A few more letters and he will be sponsor-free.

Reads like the Bode Miller of cycling.

I'd heard of him but he mainly stayed in the background until he let Drew Brees go to New Orleans so he could have Phil Rivers start. I thought he was an idiot for doing that but since they're 10 and 2 he's looking like a genius.

I was at the Race2Replace, and he had a big smile on his face when Lance presented the prizes, now he is trying to be the "man". Seems like a jerk to me, if he didn't want to be associated with Discovery, stay the hell in Florida. In his next letter he'll say "I really didn't know what was in the cream..."