• Mailbag

Mailbag: Hamilton, Creed and Mr. Blue Jeans

by VeloNews.com

• April 20, 2009
• Comments Off

Do you want to contribute to Mailbag, a regular feature of VeloNews.com? Here’s how:

No longer a Hamilton fan

Editor:
I supported Tyler Hamilton. I argued that he did not cheat and that he was unfairly found guilty. I was wrong.

His admission to this latest positive test demonstrates to me that Hamilton has always cheated and that he lied to his fans, friends, and most importantly himself after his initial positive test. I am very disappointed in this turn of events and feel as though I am losing faith in “recovered” athletes.

To test positive and admit it, as have some riders (David Millar for one) is a step in the right direction. To take that punishment and learn from it is another. Millar has shown that he made a mistake and will do everything in his power not to repeat his mistake.

Hamilton, on the other hand, fought his punishment and with this repeat performance, demonstrates to the world that he never learned his lesson. He deserves his ultimate demise in the cycling community.

I for one am disappointed and don’t think I will trust another cyclist, especially one who has fought his punishment as ardently as Hamilton has and is making a return to racing.

If this sport is going to remain popular, cyclists need to make a stand right here and right now to end doping once and for all. We will not have Lance Armstrong around forever to keep cycling in the spotlight and as more and more athletes test positive for doping, the sport will probably drop from sight quicker as sponsors will not be willing to work with teams for fear of being implicated as a sponsor of doping.

With that, I say so long, Tyler Hamilton. Please do not make another attempt to come back; you are no longer wanted and I am no longer a fan of yours.

Eric M. Prager
Bethesda, MD

Return the prizes and wait for the memoir

Editor:
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, I’m such a fool!

Someone please call Blake Caldwell and tell him Tyler is FedExing the jersey over. While you’re at it call Viatcheslav Ekimov and tell him Tyler has a Olympic gold medal with his name on it. I can’t wait to pay $19.95 for the memoir next year where we can get the full account.

Russ Polsgrove
Simsbury, Connecticut

Hamilton faces a long, tough road

Editor:
Tyler’s journey through depression will be long and tough. He doesn’t need or deserve the attention he will get for this doping incident and I for one appreciate his candor.

As someone who suffers with depression what he needs is our support and understanding. Tyler, it will get better. Please hang in there.

Michael Roe
Peyton, Colorado

Mixed feelings, but no hatred

Editor:
As a cycling fan who works in mental health I have mixed feelings.

As a health professional I strongly commend Tyler for coming forward to admit that he battles with depression and is now moving on to the next phase of his life where he concentrate on his mental and physical health. Mental illness continues to have huge stigma attached to it in our culture (and most cultures around the world) so having a public figure come forward is important and, sadly, uncommon. No one is voluntarily wearing yellow wrist bands in support of mental health!

As a cycling fan I have great concerns for our sport and the damage that is caused to the credibility of the sport and the athletes involved. However, I will not join “Tyler Hamilton Hating” bandwagon that is likely to form and appear in various media and cycling-fan outlets.

Tim Bulger
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Rock may not be dead, but it’s ailing

Editor:
To anyone who’s been around cycling for a while it’s no surprise to see the flash-in-the-pan Rock Racing team coming apart at the seams. My only surprise is that they lasted this long.

I won’t miss Mr. Bluejeans, but I wish the best to his riders.

Charles O. Jones
Orange County, California