Van Von Simeon Dismisses Lodewick's Outburst

In a move that seemed to be a bellwether for the future of Jonas Lodewick's presence on the team, Whole Athlete teammate Davide Van Von Simeon told the press today, in no uncertain terms, his opinion of Lodewick's statements yesterday.

"That guy is a train wreck," Van Von Simeon said when questioned by the press.  "Sure he has an impressive palmiers but those days of glory are behind him.  He's done and doesn't want anyone to know it.  Dario is our team leader, always has been.  I rode for Lodewick in San Raflaanders last year and set him up perfectly for the win and what happened?  3rd place.  Give me a break."

Van Von Simeon's harsh words may have somewhat to do with his own ambitions this Tuesday.  A known cyclocross racer, the course for the GP Ken Hushvod would seem to suit his skills perfectly.  A rider known among the fans as "The Gorilla Chested One" Van Von Simeon could well be fed up with riding in the rather considerable shadow of his (possibly soon to be former) teammate.

He is not the only rider to register disgust at Lodewick.  Stijn Cherry, Marin's own version of Viatcheslav Ekimov, also expressed his disappointment: "Jonas has no respect for his teammate and captain, Fredericcio.  Dario has more class in his yoga block than Lodewick has in his entire body."  Cherry, a savvy veteran who, despite his long years in the pro peloton, remains a competitive factor in every race he enters.  Rumors (though unfounded) have surfaced lately of an offer of a Director Sportif position by Bjarne Riis with team Saxo Bank made to Cherry who would no doubt be a tremendous resource for any pro team given his extensive amount of experience.  A one time patron of the peloton, many riders look to Cherry for guidance and his decrement of Lodewick is likely to turn many against the troubled sprinter.