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Jonathan Vaughters shares gross homophobic ‘fan mail’

A follower of the team really doesn’t like its bucket hats

06-06-2023 Criterium Du Dauphine Libere; Tappa 03 Monistrol Sur Loire - Le Coteau; 2023, Ef Education - Easypost; Carapaz Antonio, Richard Antonio; Monistrol Sur Loire; Photo by: Sirotti

The Internet can be an absolute tire fire in the comments sometimes, and EF-Education EasyPost’s boss Jonathan Vaughters showed a prime example of this. Despite the former pro cyclist getting in a few silly Twitter beefs himself with none other than Lance Armstrong, the email he received on Wednesday is pretty ridiculous.

Of course Jonathan Vaughters had to say something about Thibaut Pinot’s breakaway outburst

The team is known for some flashy outfits and sartorial choices, including some wackadoodle Crocs. They also have a pink bucket hat which riders often wear on the podium. Canada’s Alison Jackson, for example, wrote the lid after she took her fantastic win at Paris Roubaix.

Alison Jackson has the perfect TikTok for her Paris-Roubaix pavé

Following the time trial at the Critérium du Dauphiné, where his team leader Richard Carapaz over two minutes, Vaughters shared an email he received.

Given that Pride month has just kicked off, the homophobic slur is even more egregious–although that sort of language is no bueno any time of the year. Many replies also pointed out that the email had an  outdated and ignorant attitude about men wearing pink, no matter what sexual preference one has.

One reply pointed out that pink is a pretty great colour to wear in cycling, given that it’s one of the most sought-after jerseys to wear in the sport. And reminder everyone that Carapaz won the event in 2019.

Vaughters would post later again, in case there was any ambiguity on his standpoint about the offensive language, in case people didn’t get that he was being sarcastic. He posted, “In case there was any need of clarification, as there often is on twitter, this person, whoever they are, is not the type of fan we want. Period.”