That’s right, I said it: Jame Carney is a Douche Bag.
On June 10th, 2005, there was an incident during the keirin final at the Lehigh County Velodrome. On the backstraight with half a lap to go, Jame Carney and Ben Barczewski tangled wheels and Barczewski crashed, along with another rider. Jame Carney crossed the line first, followed by Andy Lakatosh. Lakatosh passed Carney, reached over and slapped/grabbed his handlebars causing Carney to Crash. Carney then ran up the track after Lakatosh on the next lap, apparently attempting to grab him, but was unsuccessful. In the infield there was a general mêlée with many people involved in heated arguments and at least one case of physical contact between Marty Nothstein and Jame Carney.
Both Andy Lakatosh and Jame Carney were disqualified for unsportsmanlike behavior.
From that point, there have been many complaints filed, investigations done, and decisions made.
Jame has managed to take his reputation and that of many other cyclists in Trexlertown down a peg by filing complaints against 4 Officials, 2 Riders, 2 Track Personnel, and 1 Coach. I have personally discussed the incident with both parties involved, and reviewed the video of the race, and developed my own conclusion from that. Jame obviously crashed Ben (you don’t see the 18 year old filing any complaints, which shows he is a much bigger man that the 37 year old). Some people may say it was not deliberate, but it is Jame’s style to make an intentional move look innocent. Andy, along with the rest of the pack saw this, but Andy took it personally. While Andy’s actions were valiant and entertaining, they were a bit overboard, and it sparked a huge controversy. Although you don’t see much of what followed the crash, Jame quickly took his shoes off and proceeded up the bank to attempt to pull Andy off his bike, and from what i hear turned into an embarrassing failure. This is where officials and staff step in. For the safety of the riders, both on and off the track, the scuffle needed to end, but one staff member has a bit of a history with Mr. Carney. Marty Nothstein was the first on the scene, and this added to the scuffle.
I understand that Jame felt the need to file complaints against Andy, but he has blown this whole ordeal way out of proportion. Too many people were dragged into this, and it has put a dark cloud over the velodrome in Trexlertown. I have had my issues in the past with Jame (thanks for the broken nose…) and as far as I am concerned, he had this coming to him. I hope he tries to sue me for defamation of character, then i can fit in with everyone else.
Video of the Crash
mcall.com - USA Cycling issues suspensions
usacycling.org - T-town incident results in three suspensions
no comment until now