Feline assassin as rider spokesperson

[jamesdak]

Tiberi admitted to the incident when questioned by local authorities in November, saying he was trying to measure the air rifle's range, telling Il Corriere della Sera, “I also admit that I (just as foolishly and unconsciously) tried to shoot a cat. And to my surprise I actually shot it. I had no intention of killing the animal. In fact, I was convinced the weapon was non-lethal.”

So..... if you believe him (who knows) there was no intent. So, with that mindset I actually have to reconsider that he might actually be the perfect person to speak as per the OP's post. Initially, I thought it was a poor choice just because I know there's so many judgmental, holier than though, people in the world.

But to play Devils Advocate. If he really had no real intent to create such a tragic incident than maybe he is the perfect one to address the fan's actions and the dangers they present to the riders. How many of the fans are intentionally trying to hurt the riders and how many are just not thinking and do something stupid? Food for thought but yeah, I don't expect hardly anyone here to be able to even consider my comments.

[edgerat]

maybe he was ordered to complete community service for his heinous heinous crime

[72gmc]

I think he's done what he's done, and he's also not being helped by the idea that he was the choice of the UCI. Because being the choice of the UCI also carries a stigma.

[GregL]

This thread makes me a bit sad because some are rationalizing Tiberi's cat shooting as a "youthful mistake." I was raised in a gun owning, Second Amendment supporting, hunting & fishing household. I started shooting with a BB gun at age 7 and received my first .22 at age 11. Among the first rules of firearms that I was taught were (1) never aim at something (target, animal, or assailant) unless you intend to pull the trigger and (2) never shoot an animal that you don't intend to eat. Maybe Tiberi wasn't taught these rules. Maybe the translation from Italian to English diminished his public apology. But rationalizing the shooting of a domestic animal, without strong reason(s), is flat out wrong.

Greg

[osbk67]

Originally Posted by 72gmc

I think he's done what he's done, and he's also not being helped by the idea that he was the choice of the UCI. Because being the choice of the UCI also carries a stigma.

All I’ve seen shows this was a CPA initiative with nothing to do with the UCI.