mudrock: THY:
...mentions the rumor...
See, this has always been the issue. Rumour.
And gerard complains about how "rumours and intrigue" arises.
Well, then. Here's a simple suggestion (which should be obvious and prevent such complaint/observation about rumours and intrigue: If you would rather not release official statements that the exclusion was disciplinary in nature, then utilize the very same media avenues you used support Sastre the day immediately after his crazy lunatic press conference. Set the record straight and stop the rumours and intrigue.
We have read countless interviews with Gerrans himself, who never mentioned that this was a reason given to him for being excluded from the TdF squad. So perhaps an idea might be to even actually tell the rider himself why such a decision was made. If it is a question of poor disipline, then advise the rider of that at the time he is not selected. These are obviosu measures which, frankly, I'm amazed that such intelligent people appear to forget.
Instead, we read in gerard's blog banal diatribe on how righteous Sastre is after causing the press throng to laugh at him. How correct it was for him to blow his top and make a laughing stock out of himself and the team at a press conference. Perhaps this was an undisplined act? In fact the man thought so, himself, and apologised the next day. Unfortunately for gerard, this also serves to demonstrate that, while his bike designing and engineering prowess is nothing short of brilliant, his competence as a pro-bike scene commentator is a little less so.
We have heard nothing official on the real reason(s) as to why Gerrans was left out of the TdF squad, and we never have. "We just couldn't find a spot for you" holds little weight when palmares are compared and contrasted, and when contemporaneous form of the athlete in the lead-up to the event is assessed.
Gerard disappoints me (and many others) and betrays unofficial resentment toward Simon Gerrans for refusing to acknowledge him in his posts above - or even just to refer to his value to the team - in any of his statements. And that is fine - he might feel happy with that position. But it says a great deal more about Mr Vroomen than it does about Gerrans.
Hypothetical-Rumourt-Stoking-Opinion (Since no official reason has ever been given): If Gerrans failed to advise his Director and team management of his intentions to fly to train in the company of Lance prior to the event, then that is not good - and it's his own fault. It would have been a valid reason to administer disciplinary action and preclude him from the TdF squad.