after his run-ins with the media, he came across quite badly. But the media would never try to provoke a reaction from anyone would they…

Did mainstream cycling media mention this?
http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2010/05/the-story-of-cadels-shoes/

They were probably going to, but Cadel was too busy threatening people about his dog to give a quote so they decided not to. A good deed does not a good person make.