Tyler Hamilton, an American bicyclist who has for several years been overshadowed by Lance Armstrong, is once again on winning form. Last year, he won two very prestigious races, the Liege-Bastogne-Liege, one of the one day classics which comprise the World Cup, and the Tour de Romandie , one of the most prestigious one week Spring tours. He was the first American ever to win those two races, and he went on that year to perform extremely well in the 2003 Tour de France: notably, after an early crash (Stage 1) broke his collarbone, he went on to a spectacular win on Stage 16 and finish within the top 5.
Well, he’s done it again, taking two stages and the crushing the competition in the final time trial of the Tour de Romandie. It’s a pity he doesn’t get more coverage in the U.S. He’s a terrific rider, and has got to be one of the gutsiest athletes ever. In 2002, he was fourth in the Giro d’Italia (one of the three “grand tours,” the other two being the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana.) He accomplished this despite a crash in the first week which broke a bone his shoulder.
Most Americans only pay attention to the Tour de France, unfortunately, but assuming Tyler can make it to the Tour without breaking something else (!), he could well be the cyclist to end Lance Armstrong’s dominance of the TdF.
Results of the final stage of the Tour de Romandie.
Go Tyler!