Tyler Hamilton interview

Cyclingnews.com did an email interview with Tyler Hamilton where he lays out his side of the story (again). I feel he has valid scientific reasons to question the results of the test. The problem has been that the UCI, WADA and those claiming he was doping, have yet to release all their data. Therefore it's hard to say whether the "facts" that Tyler is putting forth are true or false. There is just nothing to compare them to and so I have to believe they are most likely the truth.

Tyler also posted a few other articles about the decision on his website: www.tylerhamilton.com. Check it out.

Tour de Georgia recap

The 2005 Tour de Georgia had it all this year; sunshine, rain, hail, strong winds, SNOW and drama. The weather assisted in giving the race some extra drama, but the racers provided most of the incentive for a nerve racking spectacle. With 6 PRO-TOUR teams in attendance, including the 6 time Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong, the field was strong and the eventual winner couldn't be considered a fluke.

The 30k individual time trial and the subsequent 2 climbing stages were the deciding 3 stages in the 6 stage race. Floyd Landis of Phonak and Lance's former Tour pace man in the mountains came away with the TT victory and put 1.46 mins on Lance himself. While the next stage included rain, hail and numerous climbs, it didn't separate the expected strong men. It did, however, soften the bunch in preparation for the penultimate and brutal climb up Brasstown Bald in Stage 4. With temps in the 30's at the top of the 4000 ft climb and light snow falling at the top, all the favorites arrived at the climb together ready to decide the race going one on one. Well, Lance and Discovery had 3 teammates as did Bobby Julich and CSC while Floyd Landis and Levi Leipheimer were without any team help. But it didn't really matter as the ultra steep climb dictated the racers go all out and not much team work would have helped. Tom Danielson ripped everyone apart and took the win just 14 seconds in front of Levi, 0.59 seconds ahead of Lance and 1.09 in front of the then race leader, Floyd Landis.

Tom Danielson took the overall lead by 4 seconds over Levi and 9 seconds on Floyd. Tom is riding the Giro d' Italia this year and should be well prepared for his first grand tour. The TDG also showed the depth of the top US riders with Levi, Bobby Julich and Floyd all putting together a great week. Tom is the youngest of the bunch and should be the bright star the USA needs for cycling in the future.

Final General classification
1 Tom Danielson (USA) Discovery Channel 26.53.44
2 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner 0.04
3 Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak Hearing Systems 0.09
4 Bobby Julich (USA) Team CSC 1.10
5 Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel 1.41
6 David Zabriskie (USA) Team CSC 3.04
7 Marco Pinotti (Ita) Prodir - Saunier Duval 3.11
8 Nathan O'Neill (Aus) Navigators Insurance 3.14
9 Michael Blaudzun (Den) Team CSC 3.51
10 José Azevedo (Por) Discovery Channel 3.58

Tyler Hamilton suspended for 2 years.

For all things considered and pending a long shot with the Court of arbitration and Sport, Tyler Hamilton's cycling career is over. Today the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) gave Tyler the maximum sentence of a 2-year suspension with a 2 to 1 decision. Tyler put forth information about his defense and to me the details are quite convincing. Read for yourself and decide. With Tyler already being 34 years old, there isn't much of a future for him in cycling after a 2-year break. The news coincides with Lance Armstrong announcing his pending retirement and puts the future of US cycling in doubt, if for only the next 2 years

Lance to retire after the 2005 Tour de France

Lance Armstrong announced he will retire immediately following the end of he 2005 Tour de France no matter if he wins or loses. Not much else to say, but check out the transcript of the press conference.

Tom Danielson and Tour de Georgia

The Discovery Channel's new signing this year and the USA's future hope is an up and comer, Tom Danielson. Tom is a tremendous climbing talent and is showing improvement in time trialing. He is slated to ride the Giro d' Italia in June and hence is showing good form as of late. I didn't include Tom on the list of people to expect on the podium at this years TdG as he rides for the defending Champion, Lance Armstrong. But I don't think it would be too difficult for Dicso to have two guys on the podium without lacking any team power punch. I expect to see Tom in the Top 5.

Predictions and wrapup

Amstel Gold Race: AGR is another one-day classic but unlike Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, this spring race features a lot of climbing. The next few classics, including AGR, typically feature a rider that is considered a climber or a power climber. Don't expect a sprinter to be near the finish for Amstel Gold. Last years winner, David Rebellin, has a great chance of repeating and should be considered a favorite. In my book he is. Here are my top 5 picks:

1. David Rebellin - Ita, Gerolsteiner
2. Danilo Di Luca - Ita, Liqui-gas
3. Jorg Jaksche - Ger, Liberty Seguros
4. George Hincapie - USA, The Discovery Channel
5. Jens Voight - Ger, CSC

I would pick George a bit higher, except he is possibly more tired from the past few weeks than the others. But he certainly wouldn't surprise me with a win.

Tour de Georgia: The TdG gets underway with a special news conference from Lance Armstrong on April 18th. Speculation has run wild over what he will be announcing. Rumors run the gauntlet from outright retirement, riding the Giro (Tour of Italy) and Tour double, to indicating girlfriend Sheryl Crow is pregnant. I think he will announce that 2005 will be the last he is racing in Europe and 2006 will be spent trying to pump of cycling in the states. But we will see.

Tyler Hamilton's blood doping case is rumored to have a decision coming on Monday which may also clear him for inclusion to TDG. That is wild and would be great to see. With Tyler possibly taking part, the startlist would include 5 top USA cyclist and all but two representing different teams: Defending TdG champion Lance Armstrong (Discovery), Bobby Julich (CSC), Levi Leipheimer (Gerolsteiner), Floyd Landis (Phonak) and Tyler Hamilton (Phonak).

As Bobby Julich has already won twice this year (Paris-Nice and Criterium International) I am betting on a more than solid performance from him this year. But as all the other top Americans listed above are actually tour hopefuls, you can expect a great battle for the top podium position. Lance will fight it out with Bobby for the win, and third will be edged out by Floyd Landis just over Levi. Let me state that if allowed to race, you will see Tyler instead of Floyd in the top 3.

The big name missing this year's TdG is Saunier Duval's new signing, Chris Horner (USA). Chris had a bad wreck in his season opener Terreno-Adriatico and was forced to quit. A few weeks later he nabbed a top 20 GC finish and a 6th place stage finish in Setmana Catalana. However the pain in his leg wouldn't go away and after coming back to the states it has been confirmed that he broke the tip of his femur. Bad news for Chris, but hopefully we will see him in the tour this year.

Tour of Flanders and Paris Roubaix

If the last few weeks are an indication of what's to come this year in cycling, hang on. Tom Boonen (BEL) of Quickstep took the double by winning the Tour of Flanders in a solo effort and then backing that up the next week with a sprint win in Paris Roubaix. Both victories showed the 24 yr old is not only "fast and strong" (as Lance Armstrong described him this week), but also very astute with tactics. Congrats to George Hincapie (USA) of Discovery for an amazingly strong showing in Paris Roubaix and getting a well-deserved 2nd place while narrowly missing out on the top podium spot. After 163 miles of hell including 60 kilometers of pave' (cobblestones), to see a three up sprint finish in the Roubaix veledrome was nothing but exciting. Can't wait for next year.