Professional Cycling For the Fans - I miss Tyler Hamilton

Tyler was my favorite guy in the tour. I first "tuned in" when I found out he was an ex-USA world class skier, was from a town several miles from me in Massachusetts, and skied for a high school squad in my league.

After watching his big fall and subsequent amazing finish through the pain, I was hooked on the guy.

I rooted for him during the Olympics, where he won gold.

I was saddened to hear about the doping "allegations" and I really miss watching him in the tour. He was a real threat to the yellow, and loved watching him in command of his own team. I always find myself rooting for the "not so under, underdogs" like Vino and Tyler and would have loved to watch Tyler take a stab at wearing yellow in Paris.

**END OF RANT**

i would have loved to see a CLEAN tyler hamilton mix it in the tour this year. but since he has been convicted (the fact that his legal team has made unsuccesful apeals doesn't mean it was just simple allegations. HE IS GUILTY) of doping he can watchc it on tv and wring his hands over how dumb he was for all i care.

I miss him too. I still can't believe he is guilty but I am an optimist!

same.im still a big fan of him.

Had he not doped, I wonder what horrific injury/bad luck he'd have been subjected to had he been able to participate. Being the kind of guy who can't ride a GT normally, that is.

i think that tyler had learned a lot by watching how lance managed to stay out of trouble and really appreciated how postal would fight to keep lance at the front. anyway tyler also has a foundation and he's doing tons of good work.

INNOCENT.

It was his vanishing twin.

but when he's eligible again, will any team take him?

He tarnished himself. He tarnished the sport. He took performance inhancing drugs. He sucks because of it.

I really liked him. Now I dont.

but when he's eligible again, will any team take him?

No. A new rule last November prevents Pro Tour teams from signing anyone who tested postive for any doping offense in the last 4 years.

Besides, He'll be too old and too much of a UCI liability even if there wasn't such a new rule.

There are reports that Tyler and Millar bowl together twice a week.

Why is it that everyone defends Tyler who tested positive for doping and says there must be some mistake but then attacks Lance saying he must be doping even though he has never tested positive?

Why is it that everyone defends Tyler who tested positive for doping and says there must be some mistake but then attacks Lance saying he must be doping even though he has never tested positive?
Because Lance is an only child.

Just kidding.

He tarnished himself. He tarnished the sport. He took performance inhancing drugs. He sucks because of it.

I really liked him. Now I dont.

Thank you. Well said.

Tyler went from being a pretty good rider to being a spectacular rider during the last two seasons before his final, and fatal, drug test. Do I think he was doping during those two years? Yup.

But, if it is possible to admire a cheater, a guy who was "stealing " races from the guys who race clean, and follow the rules, Hamilton is the cheater whose courage and toughness was amazing.

Riding through the Tour de France with a broken collarbone, and even winning a stage can not be explained by any known drug. That feat required a courage that is almost unknown in the current Peloton (where it has become acceptable to quit the Tour with "a boo boo on my finger"). Tyler rode better with a broken collarbone than many of the "favorites", who were suffering from nothing more than sniffles.

So, he was a cheat, a thug, and a hoodlum. But, he was also a tough and courageous fighter in an era where toughness and courage are out of style. If he entered the Tour, he was determined to finish. He was not going to quit, unless strapped to a stretcher, on to way to a hospital. He understood, if you enter the Tour, the POINT is to ride all the way to Paris, regardless of illness, injuries, pain, or suffering.

Given his toughness, (and hardheadedness), and a small army of lawyers, he will seek a way to ride in the Tour de France in 2006 or 2007. Of course, he is too old to be a contender, and probably should not bother trying. But,Tyler is not the typical "modern" Tour rider. "Quit" is not a word he understands.

Tyler went from being a pretty good rider to being a spectacular rider during the last two seasons before his final, and fatal, drug test. Do I think he was doping during those two years? Yup.

But, if it is possible to admire a cheater, a guy who was "stealing " races from the guys who race clean, and follow the rules, Hamilton is the cheater to admire. Riding through the Tour de France with a broken collarbone, and even winning a stage can not be explained by any known drug. That feat required a courage that is almost unknown in the current Peloton (where it has become acceptable to quit the Tour with "a boo boo on my finger").

So, he was a cheat, a thug, and a hoodlum. But, he was also a tough and courageous fighter in an era where toughness and courage are out of style.
Are you sure "cheater" is just "english" for ""Not tough enough to be a real GC contender in the Tour de France"? I think that your "bias" clearly shines "through" with this so-called "post".

Come on. Tyler doped so he'd get banned from cycling. He knew that he was "not tough enough to be a real GC contender in the Tour de France" and had to find a way out.

He just "hid" behind the peloton all day anyway.

About the "vanishing twin" idea. Yes, this is a theoretical possiblity for the mixed blood that led to the TH banning. There are lots of legitimate explanations for why mixed blood could appear to look like blood doping. And back in April, I though Hamilton was being given a raw deal, and that he would soon be exonerated, BUT, there is a reliable way to test for this concept that Hamilton could be a genetic chimera (rare, but does happen).

Hamilton will not consent to have these tests done. If he is a genetic chimera, he could prove it, but he won't.

And now, his blog is just questioning everything else about the WADA not related to his case, arguing that if they made a past mistake, they did the same to him. This is cheap lawyer talk and diversion. I supported this guy, but I can't say I respect him any more. He's arguing like a guilty person now.

There are reports that Tyler and Millar bowl together twice a week.

just like two peas in a pod! :)

<< Given his toughness, (and hardheadedness), he will find a way to ride in the Tour de France in 2006 or 2007. Of course, he is too old to be a contender, and probably should not bother trying. But,Tyler is not the typical "modern" Tour rider. "Quit" is not a word he understands. >>

No he won't ride the tour in 2006 or 2007 as he will not be UCI eligible.

The fact that his teamate was the only other athlete to have a positive test, out of hundreds of athletes, is quite a coincidence ;) especially considering the other doping issues that occured at Phonak

No he won't ride the tour in 2006 or 2007 as he will not be UCI eligible.

his ban ends on April 17, 2007. Technically he could ride in the '07 tour, but the odds are so stacked up against him finding a team, training races, etc. that's it's pretty much a lost bet.

I am not convinced that they knew enough about that test and it's false positives and negatives. I think they should use the test collect data for a couple of years before they use it to eliminate people. I would like to think he wasn't doing transfusions, but the twin thing soulds way out, but then maybe the test isn't as good as they say. The only folks evaluating the test are the developers - no ax to grind there.

Joe

WADA takes testing very seriously, they know that they are affecting the professional career of an athlete, and it takes a lot to get a positive. No one wants to make a mistake with someone's life, but the data was solid, confirmed by world experts and scientists. Housman's idea of vanishing twin is just an idea.

Hamilton tested +ve on two events, over quite a period of time. If Hamilton is a chimera, he will always test positive for mixed blood. If he doesn't in 2007, he'll be a liar.

Didnt he test positive at the olympics but the other sample was destroyed or something so they couldnt confirm the positive test. Then shortly there after he tests positive again, and this time the other sample is still intact.

Hes a doper and the sport has no room for it or him. End of story.

There are reports that Tyler and Millar bowl together twice a week.
What do they do the other 5 days? Oh yeah, consult with their overpaid lawyers...

Didnt he test positive at the olympics but the other sample was destroyed or something so they couldnt confirm the positive test. Then shortly there after he tests positive again, and this time the other sample is still intact.

Hes a doper and the sport has no room for it or him. End of story.

Yep. three strikes, he's out.

the deal was with the olympics that the first sample was tested as clean

but then somebody went back and re-tested. and one of the two samples which was retested came up +, and the other one was destroyed. that was why he got to keep the gold. i think that is pretty close to accurate. it seems that somebody was after tyler, regardless of whether he was clean or not. i bleieve he was accused of taking oxygenated blood transfusions? sorry but i'm really not clear on the specifics of the "steroids" or blood, or whatever these guys do to get an edge.

the deal was with the olympics that the first sample was tested as clean

but then somebody went back and re-tested. and one of the two samples which was retested came up +, and the other one was destroyed. that was why he got to keep the gold. i think that is pretty close to accurate. it seems that somebody was after tyler, regardless of whether he was clean or not. i bleieve he was accused of taking oxygenated blood transfusions? sorry but i'm really not clear on the specifics of the "steroids" or blood, or whatever these guys do to get an edge.

He got out of Athens by luck. He was carefully, and properly tested later. All riders were tested, why single out anyone? No conspiracy.

He is accused and convicted of blood doping, taking blood transfusions to boost his red blood cell count. Because there are no drugs involved, it is difficult to detect, unless you transfuse from another person, then you see two different DNAs by tests. Some riders do this by taking blood out in training, then putting it back in months later before a race, but this does temporarily weaken. Hamilton took the easy and dangerous way and took in someone else's blood.

Other guys take EPO (erythropoeitin), a hormone that boosts red blood cells, and can be detected at high levels.

Why this is bad: transfusions from another person are dangerous, especially since that other blood was not likely tested for viruses. EPO in excess or too many red blood cells can couse blood thickening and lead to stroke.

If you miss him, he's going to be on some show with Gumbel on HBO Tuesday night at 10 o'clock EST. Proclaiming his innocence of course.

I guess they're not going to release that Omnimax movie they shot during the '03 Tour now? I haven't heard anything about that. Man, they've got to be pi$$ed. Those movies are freaking exspensive to shoot.

I miss tyler...

and his evil twin.

The man was hella tough, whether he doped or not. I admire his toughness. I don't respect any athlete who dopes.

What a waste.

There are reports that Tyler and Millar bowl together twice a week.
They'll buddy up with Jose Canseco

There was an interesting article about the state of drug testing in sports (and the possible future) in Outside magazine last month. It talked a bit about Tyler and his tests. Here it is for those who are interested.

http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200507/drugs-in-sports-1.html

They'll buddy up with Jose Canseco


...And Keith Richards.

There was an interesting article about the state of drug testing in sports (and the possible future) in Outside magazine last month. It talked a bit about Tyler and his tests. Here it is for those who are interested.

http://outside.away.com/outside/features/200507/drugs-in-sports-1.html

Great article - thanks for sharing. But it doesn't convince me that Tyler is innocent or guilty. Some one said that there is a test that would prove one way or the other. Is that true? Then maybe I would believe he's guilty. But if he is why keep paying the lawyer? Could it be that he thought he was using his own blood but some one confused the two bottles? Wasn't there some one else caught from the same team?

If he's guilty then he should be kicked out, but I'm still sorry he seemed like a neat guy. If he's not I'm real sorry he has to put up with this. The idea in the end of that article might work here they would monitor each person and only if they deviated from their normal would there be a problem.

Joe

But if he is why keep paying the lawyer?

Probably so a lot of his fans will keep believing the lie.
Lord knows why they believe it.

About the "vanishing twin" idea. Yes, this is a theoretical possiblity for the mixed blood that led to the TH banning. There are lots of legitimate explanations for why mixed blood could appear to look like blood doping. And back in April, I though Hamilton was being given a raw deal, and that he would soon be exonerated, BUT, there is a reliable way to test for this concept that Hamilton could be a genetic chimera (rare, but does happen).

Hamilton will not consent to have these tests done. If he is a genetic chimera, he could prove it, but he won't.

And now, his blog is just questioning everything else about the WADA not related to his case, arguing that if they made a past mistake, they did the same to him. This is cheap lawyer talk and diversion. I supported this guy, but I can't say I respect him any more. He's arguing like a guilty person now.

The unborn twin theory insulted my intelligence. Does he think we're stupid? How do you explain Santiago Perez as having the exact same results at the same time on the same team? How do you challenge the accuracy of the testing procedures when NO ONE else in the professional peloton has tested positive for the same blood test?

Another parallel theory presented by his legal team is that Phonak was a victim of extortion. This was being argued at the same time as the "unborn Twin" theory was being presented. The extortion claimed that Santiago and Tyler would both prove positive if they didn't hand over a large amount of money.

The facts remain:
Tyler was contacted by the UCI earlier in the year for testing with suspiciously high hematocrit levels. This occurred a few months before the Olympics. I had read that Blood doping is often used to mask the indicators of EPO and high hematocrit.

Tyler needs to graciously walk away while his reputation is still intact. His work with his foundation will be more effective. He he continues to insult the intelligence of the cycling industry his last remaining asset--his marketability will be lost and credibility of his non-profit foundation will be tarnished.

I had read that Blood doping is often used to mask the indicators of EPO and high hematocrit.


I could be wrong, but I don't think blood doping masks EPO at all. But it is a replacement for EPO. And the reason to blood dope is to get a higher hematocrit. So yeah, the facts are kind of against Hamilton.

The unborn twin theory insulted my intelligence. Does he think we're stupid? How do you explain Santiago Perez as having the exact same results at the same time on the same team? How do you challenge the accuracy of the testing procedures when NO ONE else in the professional peloton has tested positive for the same blood test?

Another parallel theory presented by his legal team is that Phonak was a victim of extortion. This was being argued at the same time as the "unborn Twin" theory was being presented. The extortion claimed that Santiago and Tyler would both prove positive if they didn't hand over a large amount of money.

The facts remain:
Tyler was contacted by the UCI earlier in the year for testing with suspiciously high hematocrit levels. This occurred a few months before the Olympics. I had read that Blood doping is often used to mask the indicators of EPO and high hematocrit.

Tyler needs to graciously walk away while his reputation is still intact. His work with his foundation will be more effective. He he continues to insult the intelligence of the cycling industry his last remaining asset--his marketability will be lost and credibility of his non-profit foundation will be tarnished.

His reputation is not intact and you point out 2 statements to indicate this.

i would have loved to see a CLEAN tyler hamilton mix it in the tour this year. but since he has been convicted (the fact that his legal team has made unsuccesful apeals doesn't mean it was just simple allegations. HE IS GUILTY) of doping he can watchc it on tv and wring his hands over how dumb he was for all i care.

So I suppose we can assume that everyone else who has been accused and went to court and lost definitely did it...OK :rolleyes:

BTW...it's spelled "appeals"...

The stuff you read....

You also forgot to tell us that Lance dopes, too...eveyone knows this, they just have not caught him... :rolleyes: Everybody in pro cycling dopes. Everyone out here knows this. It's been discussed ad nauseum.

It's been discussed ad nauseum.

Things change quickly in pro cycling though. Testing changes.
I might as well ask now, what drugs were in the bodies of the GC contenders during today's stage?

So I suppose we can assume that everyone else who has been accused and went to court and lost definitely did it...OK :rolleyes:

BTW...it's spelled "appeals"...

The stuff you read....

You also forgot to tell us that Lance dopes, too...eveyone knows this, they just have not caught him... :rolleyes: Everybody in pro cycling dopes. Everyone out here knows this. It's been discussed ad nauseum.

thats a great double standard: those convicted of doping arent guilty, and everyone else who hasnt been convicted are the ones actualy doing the doping. you should be a lawer.

I liked it when Tyler finished the tour with a broken shoulder. :)