WenzelC-@aol.com
Hello All,
It's come to our attention that information about the lawsuit filed by Greg=20
Strock against USA Cycling and Rene has been circulating around Oregon=20
without a clear statement of Rene's position. Oregon is our home, and we'd=20
like to reassure everyone here of our position on this case. What follows is=
=20
a letter that Rene sent out several weeks ago to friends and family. I have=20
copied it here to put an end to the rumors and assure everyone of our=20
continued commitment to the sport of cycling and the well-being of the peopl=
e=20
who participate in it. We are working on our coaching business and other=20
projects as usual with the confidence that Rene will come out on top on this=
=20
issue.
-------------
Dear Friends, Family, Colleagues and Athletes,
As you may or may not be aware, I am involved in a recent lawsuit that has=20
garnered major media attention due to the sensational nature of its charges.=
=20
A former athlete that I coached has alleged that I forced illegal performanc=
e=20
enhancing drugs on him as a junior. I want to take the time to address this=20
issue and assure you that at no time did I ever give illegal drugs to Mr.=20
Strock and that I will fight these allegations. Following is the official=20
statement from my attorney in the suit filed by Greg Strock vs. Rene Wenzel=20
and USA Cycling. But first a couple of words on behalf of both Kendra and=20
myself.
I am sorry for this mass mailing style email, as it fails to address each an=
d=20
everyone of you personally. I ask for your understanding at this time and=20
hope that we will be able to catch up and answer any of your questions when=20
this suit is put to rest.
I also apologize at this time for not being able to tell you much more than=20
what is contained in the press release below. But since this lawsuit has onl=
y=20
just begun, we have been advised by our attorney to not talk about this case=
=20
at this time. As I have always been an extraordinarily open person, it kills=
=20
me not to be able to completely clear my name in court right here and now,=20
but I have to protect my family by protecting my interests, and this is how=20
I've been advised to protect my interests.=20
Those of you who know me well know that I rarely allow myself to go down=20
without a fight. And I will fight in this case. But as in many lawsuits, thi=
s=20
case seems headed toward a war of money - not who is right or wrong! As many=
=20
of you know, this has been a rough year for Kendra and me, having lost incom=
e=20
from leaving the Saturn team and the folding of bike.com. Since the case was=
=20
filed on November 17, 2000 we have already written checks for thousands of=20
dollars in attorney's fees. But I will repeat: I am committed to vindicating=
=20
myself in this case.
In the meantime, we are continuing with our daily coaching, article and book=
=20
writing, camps and seminars with the best intentions we have always held for=
=20
this sport. We welcome your comments, support or criticism. The letters of=20
support and offers of assistance we have already received from a number of=20
you mean more to us than you can imagine.
I apologize to our Danish friends for not translating, but more and more=20
gossip is making it into the public, so Kendra and I felt it necessary to ge=
t=20
something in our own words out as soon as possible.
On a side note, our little Katrine is now over ten lbs "heavy" and keeps=20
Kendra busy by wanting to eat constantly! She is truly the light at this tim=
e.
I hope that this finds you in health and happiness.
Best wishes,
Rene Wenzel on behalf of Katrine, Kendra and myself
PS. The official statement from my attorney:
PRESS RELEASE
November 22, 2000
Dear Sir or Madam:=A0=20
On behalf of Mr. Rene Wenzel, and his attorney, I am submitting the followin=
g=20
statement regarding the Complaint filed in the United States District Court=20
for the District of Colorado encaptionated Strock v. USA Cycling, Inc., et=20
al., Case Action No.00-2285:
Mr. Wenzel takes very seriously the allegations which Mr. Strock has leveled=
=20
against him in the complaint which he filed on Friday, November 17th, and=20
denies ever giving Mr. Strock illegal, performance enhancing drugs. As a=20
coach, Mr. Wenzel has always put the health and well-being of his athletes a=
s=20
a primary concern. He firmly opposes illegal drug use.
Contrary to comments others have made to the media, Mr. Wenzel was not fired=
=20
from his coaching position at the U.S. Cycling Federation. He was laid-off=20
due to a downsizing which had no relation to any allegations of supposed=20
mis-use of drugs.
The filing of the suit both shocks and saddens Mr. Wenzel, as he and Mr.=20
Strock had remained friends for years after he no longer served as Mr.=20
Strock's coach. Nevertheless, Mr. Wenzel will vigorously fight to clear his=20
name of these alleged wrong doings.
Very Truly Yours,
Reid Kelly
The Kelly Law Firm, L.L.C.
Rene Wenzel
57111 North Bank Road
McKenzie Bridge, Oregon
97413 USA
1 541 822 3737 Phone & fax
1 206 390 7275 Cellular (USA)
45 2323 0473 Cellular (GSM)
ReneW-@aol.com
Wenzel Coaching =20
Affordable coaching programs for all levels of racing. =20
<A HREF=3D"http://www.wenzelcoaching.com">http://www.wenzelcoaching.com</A>
57111 North Bank Road
McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413
(541)822-3737 office
(541)822-3737 fax
(541)912-9792 cell