Armstrong Failed Drug Test in 2001, Hamilton Tells 60 Minutes

(Bloomberg) Lance Armstrong got preferential treatment from officials at cycling’s governing body after failing a test for a performance-enhancing drug in 2001, his former teammate Tyler Hamilton said in a interview with CBS Corp.’s “60 Minutes” program.

Hamilton, 40, said he saw Armstrong doping on numerous occasions and that the seven-time Tour de France winner and leaders for the U.S. Postal Service cycling team encouraged the use of performance-enhancing substances.

Hamilton, who last week returned the Olympic gold medal he won in 2004, also challenged Armstrong’s assertion that he’s never failed a drug test. Hamilton said Armstrong told him about testing positive for erythropoietin, or EPO, at the Tour of Switzerland in 2001.

“Lance’s people and people from the other side -- I believe from the governing body of the sport -- figured out a way for it to go away,” Hamilton said in the “60 Minutes” interview. ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-23/lance-armstrong-failed-drug-test-in-2001-tyler-hamilton-tells-60-minutes.html

Hamilton's story, and that of the others, seems credible, especially now that all are facing testimony in federal grand jury. I was struck by Armstrong's arrogance in rebutting reports of his alleged doping. I am aware of the good intentions of the LiveStrong organization but the cynic in me wonders if that was meant to deflect his wrong-doing.

..on the Tour and the one thing that is interesting to note is that his accusers ARE dopers (Hamilton and Landis), and Armstrong has never been caught after all of those tests...

He is the most tested athlete on the planet and he has never tested positive ONCE.

I think that if you had been subject to as many rumours and lies as Armstrong has been over the years you'd be a bit brassed off too.

This Fed Grand Jury is a bullshit witchhunt and a waste of taxpayer money...How about we go after Wall Street or Big Oil, rather then retired cyclists, yes?