Tyler Hamilton is busted again
Well, I guess a certain to remain unnamed local blogger is vindicated with his sharing of the rumor that back in February Tyler Hamilton had failed a drug test. That comment on a rumor that was circling around turns out to be true. Here is the link to the CyclingNews.com report.
I found out while driving down Pelham Road when I received the text message “TH is busted again.” Now it will be showing up all over the place. Velonews.com has the story, Bicycling.com has its version, as does the AP and ESPN. Funny, there will probably be more coverage in the US about this than there was about some awesome classics racing in Europe this year.
The more we continue in this the more any sympathy I might have for the rider goes out the window. Yes, he seeks our sympathy with the mention of the clinical depression. However, there are other ways to deal with it. It is hard to trust the story. I am angry at Tyler Hamilton. He is hurting himself and he is hurting the sport I love.
I guess Blake Caldwell is our new USA Cycling road racing champion. The Garmin-Chipotle rider was right there in that exciting finish last year in Greenville. Still, I wish Danny Pate had beaten both of them.
Ride off into the sunset Hamilton. Anybody else doping out there can follow him. Enough. I’m turning my focus back to those who are trying to do it right.
Tags: Blake Caldwell, Doping, Tyler Hamilton
I’m a Pate fan (and not b/c of his last name;-), however, I always give people the benefit of the doubt – which can be a downfall of mine. IF (big IF), Tyler is suffering from clinical depression, then as a professional cyclists, he should have explored his meds much more carefully. I’ve been around a few riders that will not even take an aspirin unless given to them by a certain individual on their team’s staff. Yes, life is not fair for cyclists in that way, however, when you are being PAID to ride your bike, all measures should be taken to race fairly. I’m a Tyler fan and therefore saddened and disappointed. I am a cyclist and HATE the negative press this is and will receive – but we all know the media focuses on the bad and the ugly instead of the good…
Why am I even surprised? It seems like I have to wait a couple months to find out who won the race. Riders are constantly busted! More and more it is getting hard to be impressed with anyone’s performance without being suspicious of it. You know what though, there have been cheats and dopers since before the first Tour De France. So again why am I surprised?