60 Minutes: Tyler Hamilton claims Armstrong doped

[TrekTheKaty]

According the CNN morning news, Tyler was in town to testify and was "coerced" into the 60 minute interview and "was clearly uncomfortable."

WAH? Just say NO--well, that would have solved a lot of problems

[emily_in_nc]

I'm sorry for not including the link to the story I read about George -- upon re-reading, it doesn't sound like he's going to be on the 60 Minutes interview, but unless the entire story is false, he has stated to the FDA that Lance (and he, George, both doped). Very sad indeed:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/repo...ame=0&ns_fee=0

[lunacycles]

But if Tyler suddenly feels the need to tell the world that he can prove Lance took drugs, why is he on TV instead of talking to the prosecutors who are currently investigating Lance? The ones who testify under oath are the only ones with credibility, in my opinion.

The 60 Minutes interview came after he testified. I do believe his "turn-around" was a result of being forced to talk and come clean to the prosecutors who are investigating Lance. (or face jail)..such is the case with Hincapie, too. People claim Tyler's opportunist, but I do believe he wouldn't have done this if he didn't have to. I am glad for it. That guy used to be the most upbeat, pure-hearted racer around, and now he looks completely broken, and I assume this is because of all of this. Doping in pro cycling is systemic, and, yes, Lance has never been "caught," but if people seriously think he hasn't doped, they are quite naive. I think the whole circus is disturbing, but shedding light on the big shadow of doping in professional bike racing is, in the long view, a very good thing, even if Lance comes down as a result.

[aicabsolut]

I recently saw this movie (which makes some sly Lance references) about doping (in all sports, even recreational/amateur use). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1151309/

It still boggles my mind, but it helped me see just how some people can talk themselves into justifying use of PEDs while lying to everyone.

But, more on topic, aren't people saying that Tyler is writing a book and looking for publicity?

Less on topic, I know some people paying for his coaching services who are really happy with that. He seems to have used coaching to rebuild his credibility, and then with this interview, it just brings back to mind how he lied before.

[Dogmama]

I've talked to serious riders who are in the medical field & they unequivocally state that Lance had to be doping. Coming back that hard & strong after his cancer treatment is unbelievable. Lance used to say his lung capacity was more than the average mortal, but that's been disproved.

So did Lance dope? Probably. Why didn't TH come out earlier? When is his book being released?

[sundial]

I want to believe that Lance didn't dope....and Hincapie....and Dave Z. But Lance has stated in an authorized biography, Lance Armstrong's War, that everyone dopes. So that leaves more questions than answers in my book. We know that doping has become epidemic in pro cycling and that it brings a tragic ending (suicide) to some of the cylists.

[redrhodie]

Unfortunately for 60 Minutes, their show airs at the same time as the final stage of AToC. Guess what I'll be watching.

[ny biker]

I want to believe that Lance didn't dope....and Hincapie....and Dave Z. But Lance has stated in an authorized biography, Lance Armstrong's War, that everyone dopes. So that leaves more questions than answers in my book. We know that doping has become epidemic in pro cycling and that it brings a tragic ending (suicide) to some of the cylists.

I'm pretty cynical, and no one who knows me will ever accuse me of being a cockeyed optimist. But I believe that many cyclists today are not doping.

It used to be an epidemic. The roads used to be littered with used syringes after the tour passed. When guys like Lance, George and Jens started, it was still pretty common.

But I think it has changed, and many riders are clean now.

One thing I wonder -- why isn't anyone accusing Indurain of using drugs? Or Hinault and Merckx? Fignon admitted to doping, and LeMond and Hinault beat him, so why don't we think they were on drugs, too? LeMond won the Tour with pieces of lead in his lungs. Why do we believe he was clean?