Where the pro's go...

From 2003 Bike News article:
Missy Giove recently announced her plans to retire from professional racing. Thus marks the end of a brilliant career. Giove is probably best known for her marketing savvy: the dead piranha around her neck, the ashes of her dog tucked in her sports bra, the punk hair-do. While Giove's wild nature garnered her unparalleled media coverage, it probably overshadowed her incredible riding talent. Giove has won more NORBA downhills than anyone else (14 wins) and racked up 11 World Cup wins as well. Ten years down the road, will we remember those kinds of statistics or will we still be fixated on Giove's persona?

From a April 23, 2004 Velo News interview:
VN: What do you think your legacy will be?
MG: I just always wanted to inspire people not to live their life in fear. You know what you’re only here once and that’s it. You better live it up. People sometimes forget – people have insurance and all these things that are about the future, but what they forget is that you are just who you are and what you have every day. Love who you love, be who you are, 'cause that’s all you have. You come into this world alone and you die alone.

From June 17th 2009 Velo News article:
Former world downhill champion Melissa “Missy” Giove and two alleged co-conspirators were arrested in New York Tuesday, charged with plans to distribute some 400 pounds of marijuana.
The three are being charged with federal drug violations and could face up to 40 years in prison and $2 million in fines.

Moral of the story? Drug trafficking can lead you downhill fast.