Tyler Hamilton, the embattled 2004 Olympic time trial gold medalist, solidified his return o the pro peloton Sunday with his second win of the season in a photo-finish triumph at the USA Professional road championships in Greenville, S.C.
Tyler Hamilton
Hamilton, 37, leader of the controversial Rock Racing team, was victorious by .002 in the 110-mile road race over Blake Caldwell and Danny Pate of the Garmin-Chipotle squad.
Hamilton and Caldwell finished in 4 hours, 38 minutes, 19 seconds. Pate took third, four seconds back.
Only 44 of 108 starters finished the race held in mid-80 degree temperatures and at even higher humidity.
Hamilton tested positive in the 2004 Tour of Spain and 2004 Summer Olympics and served a two-year suspension for the presence of foreign blood in his system. He kept his Olympic gold medal because of improper testing in the Olympics.
Hamilton returned to pro racing during the 2007 season with Tinkov and then moved to the controversial Rock Racing team in 2008. It’s owned and operated by Michael Ball, the outspoken founder
of a high-end jeans manufacturer.
In July, Hamilton, a former Tour de France stage winner who finished as high as fourth in cycling’s premier event, claimed his first stage race victory in four years at China’s Tour of Qinghai Lake.
