Tyler's Book

[Maxiton]

He embarrassed Pantani and himself on the Ventoux. If you intentionally lose, do it unobtrusively.

He couldn't beat Pantani over the line on that stage. Period. He consoled himself by insulting Pantani, claiming that he, Armstrong, had let Pantani win. Schoolyard stuff.

 

[Epicycle]

He couldn't beat Pantani over the line on that stage. Period. He consoled himself by insulting Pantani, claiming that he, Armstrong, had let Pantani win. Schoolyard stuff.

I think he did let Pantani win. He was worried Pantani was going to beat him so he figured...if I don't try and "let him win" then I can lord it over Marco. It's classic Lance, always playing the angles in an attempt to frame the debate on his terms, just like he's tried to do with USADA.

 

[Mr.38%]

He couldn't beat Pantani over the line on that stage. Period. He consoled himself by insulting Pantani, claiming that he, Armstrong, had let Pantani win. Schoolyard stuff.

There was no sprint at all. Übermensch riding up to Pantani was hilarious...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXPXHK7I1iQ

 

[hektoren]

Is it just me or does Tyler Hamilton look acromegalic?

Yes, it's just you. Nothing acromegalic about him. Do a simple photosearch on Google.

 

[Speedzero]

For those who have read the book (I haven't yet), does TH explain how he managed to get popped, what was it, three times? despite the tests being so easy to beat? And does he explain why he chose to dope with someone else's blood, despite this being, I would think, a pretty good way to get popped?

Basically: he says he didn't intentionally dope with someone else's blood. He doesn't know the answer, but he and Coyle speculate that Fuentes was sloppy and a bit of someone else's blood got mixed in with his. This might have happened, for example, when glycol was being mixed with the blood.

The book quotes JV as saying the following, which nails it I think:

"The thing to realize about Fuentes and all these guys is that they're doping doctors for a reason. They're the ones who didn't make it on the conventional path, so they're not the most organized people . . . The deadly mistake that Tyler, Floyd, Roberto, and the rest of them made when they left Postal was to assume they'd find other doctors who were as professional. But when they got there, they found--whoops!--there weren't any others."

 

[KayLow]

Basically: he says he didn't intentionally dope with someone else's blood. He doesn't know the answer, but he and Coyle speculate that Fuentes was sloppy and a bit of someone else's blood got mixed in with his. This might have happened, for example, when glycol was being mixed with the blood.

The book quotes JV as saying the following, which nails it I think:

"The thing to realize about Fuentes and all these guys is that they're doping doctors for a reason. They're the ones who didn't make it on the conventional path, so they're not the most organized people . . . The deadly mistake that Tyler, Floyd, Roberto, and the rest of them made when they left Postal was to assume they'd find other doctors who were as professional. But when they got there, they found--whoops!--there weren't any others."

Fascinating stuff. It offers up a possible explanation to the anomalous Contador and Landis positives, as well.

 

[airstream]

Looks pretty prosaically: cowboy booked Hamilton at Fuentes' store. Tyler mentioned Landis told him that Lance had called on him in UCI in the 2004 or so..

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

There was no sprint at all. Übermensch riding up to Pantani was hilarious...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXPXHK7I1iQ

Indeed, if anyone had any doubts left that was the moment all of mankind knew LA was doped to the gills.

Pantani suffering like a dog on the lower slopes in the forest, couldn't escape bloodboys like that fat Colombian Botero. One of the most telling Tour de France stages of all times.

When you know what Pantani did to be as good as in 1999, what does man have to do to be as good as Wonderboy on Ventoux in 2001...

"The thing to realize about Fuentes and all these guys is that they're doping doctors for a reason. They're the ones who didn't make it on the conventional path, so they're not the most organized people . . . The deadly mistake that Tyler, Floyd, Roberto, and the rest of them made when they left Postal was to assume they'd find other doctors who were as professional. But when they got there, they found--whoops!--there weren't any others."

Given the fact a certain Texan emailed the UCI in 2003 warning for some riders doing something this is quite naive by Hamilton.

He should take a look to the rise of Kelme Costablanca Eurosport and how long it took the 'authorities' to make the Puerto case. He was framed. And he knows it I guess.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

Read the first 3 chapters last night.

The most interesting anecdote for me so far was from Andy Hampsten. Just a season or two removed from winning his Giro Andy was climbing with the same power output at the same weight, and suddenly fat guys were riding right next to him and chatting while he was going hard just to hang in the group. And he would get shelled out of the climbing group only half way up the finishing climbs by 20+ guys, all guys he used to smoke, and again at the exact same power output and weight (he used an SRM I assume).

His Grand Tour GC results beg to differ.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Hampsten

 

[Kennf1]

Glad Celaya has a lifetime ban.

Celaya opted for arbitration, so he's not banned yet.

 

[Carols]

For those who have read the book (I haven't yet), does TH explain how he managed to get popped, what was it, three times? despite the tests being so easy to beat? And does he explain why he chose to dope with someone else's blood, despite this being, I would think, a pretty good way to get popped?

No USPS system and doctors...

 

[Racelap]

Enjoying the book so far.

One small gripe.

"No, Weisel was the kind of guy who reacted to losing by getting ****ed off. And in 1996 we watched him go from ****ed off to white hot to Defcon 5."

Defcon 5 is a state of normalcy. The lower the number the more severe the situation. Defcon 1 being imminent global thermonuclear war.

Just a pet peeve of mine.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

What did Tyler have to say about clinic poster JV1973?

 

[Racelap]

Really put Ver******er up against the wall.

Keep your hemocrit under 50 and you can cheat away.

 

[the big ring]

To the people saying, "how can I believe this book": does perjury via GJ testimony ring a bell?

To the people saying he needs a haircut: you don't want to date him, do you? Coz he looks like he's doing ok to me...

 

[the big ring]

People saying Coyle spoke better ick.

Hamilton is talking from his heart, from experience, with conviction and feeling.

Coyle is slicker, yes, but he's a salesman, all teflon and professionalism trying to pitch a book.

Keep your Coyle, Hamilton is the person I'd rather talk to.

 

[mastersracer]

To the people saying, "how can I believe this book": does perjury via GJ testimony ring a bell?

To the people saying he needs a haircut: you don't want to date him, do you? Coz he looks like he's doing ok to me...

just read the line in the book saying she was doing her masters in 'international affairs and ethics.' Thought to myself, too bad he didn't meet her earlier in his career...

 

[ChewbaccaD]

80 pages in. Not reading the thread for fear of spoilers. Great book so far.

 

[Smera1]

80 pages in. Not reading the thread for fear of spoilers. Great book so far.

Hi Chewbacca,
Did you buy the paperback or electronic version ?
Many Thanks.

 

[BikeCentric]

His Grand Tour GC results beg to differ.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Hampsten

Hampsten was saying in his last year of racing (which I believe was 1995) that he was getting shelled by the same guys he used to beat at the same power output and weight. Does that clarify anything for you? Because I don't understand what you think begs to differ about what. Perhaps you could clarify. Perhaps you should read the book yourself as well?

 

[BikeCentric]

Celaya opted for arbitration, so he's not banned yet.

Too bad, but on the flip side I look forward to the additional details that should come out in that hearing.

 

[ChewbaccaD]

Hi Chewbacca,
Did you buy the paperback or electronic version ?
Many Thanks.

Hardcover.

 

[Tyler'sTwin]

Read the first 3 chapters last night.

The most interesting anecdote for me so far was from Andy Hampsten. Just a season or two removed from winning his Giro Andy was climbing with the same power output at the same weight, and suddenly fat guys were riding right next to him and chatting while he was going hard just to hang in the group. And he would get shelled out of the climbing group only half way up the finishing climbs by 20+ guys, all guys he used to smoke, and again at the exact same power output and weight (he used an SRM I assume).

His Grand Tour GC results beg to differ.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Hampsten

Hampsten was saying in his last year of racing (which I believe was 1995) that he was getting shelled by the same guys he used to beat at the same power output and weight. Does that clarify anything for you? Because I don't understand what you think begs to differ about what. Perhaps you could clarify. Perhaps you should read the book yourself as well?

Alright, I'll clarify.

The most interesting anecdote for me so far was from Andy Hampsten. Just a season or two removed from winning his Giro Andy was climbing with the same power output at the same weight, and suddenly fat guys were riding right next to him and chatting while he was going hard just to hang in the group. And he would get shelled out of the climbing group only half way up the finishing climbs by 20+ guys, all guys he used to smoke, and again at the exact same power output and weight (he used an SRM I assume).

1985

Giro 20
Tour

1986

Giro
Tour 4

1987

Giro
Tour 16

1988

Giro 1
Tour 15

1989

Giro 3
Tour 22

1990

Giro
Tour 11

1991

Giro
Tour 8

1992

Giro 5
Tour 4

1993

Giro 14
Tour 8

1994

Giro 10
Tour

1995

Giro 58
Tour

Maybe now you can understand what didn't make sense about your original post?

 

[trailrunner]

According to my Kindle, I'm 39 percent of the way through the book. Hamilton and Coyle are discussing JV on USPS in 1999, and how LA felt about JV. No spoilers, but this is interesting in light of JV's recent posts here and his confessional to the NYT. Comparing the attitudes of Vaughters, Andreu, Livingston, and Hamilton (and LA) during that time is enlightening.

 

[Fatclimber]

Another interview with the authors on Velonews:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/09/news/exclusive-qa-with-secret-race-authors_237632