Putting Soccer, Cycling in Their Proper Places

I am disappointed, but not surprised, to find your coverage of the Tour de France on Page 2 of the sports section, behind such wondrous and newsworthy Page 1 stories as Buddy Ryan’s retirement hobbies and Steve Beuerlein’s wardrobe.

Here we have an American champion, competing in one of the most grueling and exciting events in all of sports, and he gets second-page coverage. Perhaps if he were a recovering alcoholic, drug addict, braggart or spoiled brat--like so many of our professional athletes--it would increase his stature in the eyes of The Times.

RAY RODGERS

Hermosa Beach