Tyler Hamilton | The Truth About Doping in Cycling | Full Talk and Q&A

[@mauser8515]

Tyler was always one of my favorite cyclists. He was raised similar to myself by an old school no nonsense father. Always felt he and Greg L were two of the best. Thanks for sharing Mr Hamilton. I hope you have a long and healthy life.

[@cappaslangmurderer]

Greg L no dope?

[@NoreenHoltzen]

@@cappaslangmurderer there is a broad consensus that Lemond didn’t dope. He was also at his very best form in 91 when doping became really prevalent in the peloton (first year Indurain won) and he was left in the dust.

[@livingbeing1113]

@@NoreenHoltzen Lemond was absolutely a doper, one of the first EPO users in the sport. He got dusted in the early 90s because he was at the end of his career and EPO became widespread. Drugs have been around in cycling since the early 900s, at least.

[@tysonkampbjj]

@@livingbeing1113 This has to be one of the least persuasive arguments (if it even deserves to be called that) that I've ever heard. Saying because there is a tradition of cheating in cycling therefore LeMond cheated what is called a logical fallacy. I ask only: How would you explain LeMond beating adults in sanctioned races whe he was 15? LeMond had a pedigree of stomping people from the time he got on a bike.

[@deluxedoorman]

@@livingbeing1113no way

[@mariannekonecny2335]

The "Secret race" is the best book I have ever read. And I am not a cycle fan. Thank you Mr. Hamilton.

[@karlbristow1223]

Yes! I loved this book, in fact his words made me open up and tell the truth about some of my own lies. Very powerful read.

[@BleakVision]

I bought it twice. Once as paperback, once as audiobook…

[@frankpaterson9786]

Read the seven deadly sins by David Walsh, the two books together are brilliant.

[@gregflowers83]

Two years on have you found a better book yet mate?

[@Somerled_1]

I am reading it now for the second time. It really is excellently written. I thought other cycling books would be just as interesting, I tried 'cycle of lies' by Macur and was very disappointed.

[@greghawkins549]

None of us can change the past, but we can own it and share our story. You have done that and more. "I had spent the last 14 years protecting a culture not worth protecting." Then the truth set you free. Wow - what a story. Thanks for sharing!!

[@marcelborgman8137]

A 'must see' for every student, politician, employee, priest, director, partner, president, banker, commissioner, athlete, in fact… anyone. This crystal clear speech of Tyler Hamilton is powerful. You may think it is about cycling, but it is far more ánd deeper. Situations of yes-or-no | in-or-out. And we all recognize these situations. Crossroads: crucial choices that you do and do not see coming. And there is one universal rule: you have to choose, often in a splitt-second. And you can never decide ‘backwards', only forward. Think about it when you are confronted with “the little red eggs” in your own life, as Tyler Hamilton clearly explains. Chapeau for this man. I think this timeless speech deserves a large audience and many (re)views.

[@dw9291]

Sounds and seems ruthlessly candid... Track and field is still looking for someone like you that calls things as they are.

[@colingoldthorpe5918]

So true about corporate cheating and lying. I’ve sat in those meetings in the past, and when the time came to continue to lie I chose to not agree with the leaders of that company. When you sit in an office with the president of a billion dollar organization and he asks you “Do you respect me” I thought about my time in the military and I replied “sorry I don’t and I never will” a month later he showed up with HR and fired me for no cause. It was the best day of my life, having to work and represent a culture of lying and egos is hard on you’re moral being.

[@Bayo106]

Chad

[@dtmelite]

Tyler, if you ever read this, I would like to commend you for your actions and words not only in this video but for all sport-enthusiasts out there who ever thought that "their sport is a clean sport" because you dis-spell that theory in this video. As a fan of you and your sport of cycling in the 90's, it doesn't shock me that you doped. However your words renew my faith in the human spirit which combats lies and deceit. You purposely confront the competitive notions of winning at all costs and secretive selection societies to "come clean" and speak about the lies and internal strifes conflicting with what was happening in the past. I totally respect you more NOW, than I ever did THEN!

[@mofomartianp]

Very well said. Tyler needs to know there's a giant community of cycling fans out there who appreciate his honesty and character even more than they did his actual accomplishments in cycling. His book is a great read that I would recommend to anyone.

[@jaredc3689]

I rode with Tyler last October and he was a totally down to earth guy and very accessible to people. All pro sports are dirty with the amount of sponsorship dollars floating around. It is the fine line, they try to get as close as they can without getting caught.

[@chrisrudek2076]

DeltaTangoMango YellowDog well said...I agree

[@chris2002Rocklin]

There has not ever been a single worldwide standard that could possibly be enforced for what defines "doping" in sport. Those that are "sad" about doping in sport are delusional. You must first have clearly enforceable standards before issuing "rules" that you want to pretend can be used to govern/regulate athletes. In addition, some rules governing athletes are so draconian that opportunities to use sports for medical research are lost. Which is not to say that they are lab rats. The opposite. But why restrict athletes from taking otherwise lawful drugs just because some majority (or elitist panel) deems that that is a better rule for athletes? The "therapeutic use" doctrine should be loosened but only if the athletes open their medical records for review by the sport's governing bodies. And if "micro-doses" of EPO or testosterone or some other drug are not easily detected why bother trying to regulate it as long as it can be regulated with "health checks"? It's not unhealthy. It's not your business. If the rules are the same for everyone, why does anyone care? It's like a puritanical cult that wants to judge successful athletes as "cheaters" as an explanation for their own lack of results. It's based on envy and the sponsor's desire to make elite level performance seem more accessible so that they can sell you more equipment.

[@lennyshay6227]

He never would’ve admitted to it tho if he hasn’t been caught

[@cegb551]

I read his book, then bumped into him in a supermarket in Montana. What a lovely man he is. He made a mistake and he’s sorry.

[@cegb551]

Queenie QC Your friends son probably did the best thing when he stopped racing. I still think doping is going on, but not to the extent that it was back in those days.

[@themobleys]

Thank you very much Tyler for your humility and honesty. Your still facing pain head on in a really awesome way. Keep up the good work and the good fight. This world could use more good folks like yourself!

[@chrislinhares7311]

^you're

[@AZ-vg6li]

Bravo Tyler,you did your duty!Feel proud that you are helping so many young ones by telling your story sincerely.Thanks.

[@klt479]

I'm an even bigger fan of Tyler Hamilton now than ever.

[@madiantin]

"Is it possible to return to a level of trust in cycling again?" - No. I love cycling, I follow the TdF. But when Froome puts on massive speed from seemingly nowhere I think to myself, "Wow. That's just like Lance." And at the end of every stage, when the winner crosses the line I'm all, "That's so cool! Good for him! ......He's probably on drugs." I really appreciated Tyler's honesty in answering that question. What a stand-up guy.

[@TheWorldisaLIE2]

except there are many guys that are not big names and have been good and top 5s or 10s but finally after long amounts of time get a win. that's what racing is about. very few guys actually win consistently and those are guys that a team is fully behind from management on down. also since it's a team sport most riders are not even trying to win, they just do things to help that one team captain win.

[@Adriana-eu6ty]

@@TheWorldisaLIE2 what do you think about that Slovenian guy that’s is winning now? I forgot his name unfortunately

[@TheWorldisaLIE2]

@@Adriana-eu6ty doping. Virtually all pros are, especially the ones winning.

[@escobor]

Great to see Tyler. He looked like a young kid when he joined Tour but now a adult with giving great speech. He was one of best climber in Tour and assistance of Lance that time.

[@ryanjofre]

Can’t miss that bald spot, life is a bitch. Amazing Cyclist. One of the absolute greatest ever.

[@aldinhopailan79]

In my opinion, very deep thoughts by Tyler Hamilton. Not just to think about cycling and sports. Thanks a lot, Tyler.

[@cyclingnerddelux698]

For a lifelong fan, I appreciate your open commentary on the problem that is destroying the sport I live. Knowledge is power.

[@mokiemori]

16:10 "... I lied. Professional cycling was a brotherhood. We lived by the omerta, a code of silence we all understood. We protected each other. We protected the system. Lying and denying was what I was supposed to do. You get caught -- you say nothing. You take one for the team. That's how it was done. " 18:18 "The more I talked the more I realized, I had spent the last fourteen years protecting a culture that was never worth protecting. In the end the truth saved me. While my story happened in cycling, every industry has its unwritten rules. It's own secret race. Corporate corruption is widespread. Academic cheating is at an all time high. And a growing number of people in the work place feel they have to bend the rules to get ahead. Whether the rewards are money, fame, power, personal validation, a promotion, or a scholarship, the pressure to excel has taken its toll." 22:06 "Back when I started everyone was,.. you know, the whole peloton was doping." 34:37 Question: Was the culture perpetuated by the team leaders? Answer, about culture, to 35:53 particularly informative. Worth listening to entirely. 52:47 "It wasn't possible to win the Tour de France clean. Not even close. Not even close." 54:24 "But I do think it's important to talk about it. If we don't really figure out what happened in the past, ..how it happened, ..and why it happened, we're going to have to go through the same thing again."

[@TheRamboBeast]

Tyler, this speech took courage to share. Well done. Redemption and the truth are always at hand.

[@ridethepace6005]

Tyler was a tough S.O.B. as a rider. He once crashed and then continued to race with a broken collar bone. The story has it that he gritted his teeth so hard, he ground them down.

[@Rowgue51]

That was a bit of exaggeration. He didn't have a broken collarbone. He had a very very very minor hairline fracture. Still a relatively painful thing, but nothing even remotely close to having an actual broken collarbone.

[@talibe801]

And was fourth in that tour,the man was a fantastic rider.

[@mikecollins1468]

But sadly will be known for other things,

[@rydinorwin]

@@Rowgue51 Not according to his book. Double fracture, and completed the tour. 11 teeth had to be capped.

[@rydinorwin]

@@mikecollins1468 between 50 and 100% of the peloton were and in all probability are still on drugs, these are just the brave people that speak out. Testosterone EPO and transfusions are still very difficult to spot. So if you are on drugs, loads of syringes, not on drugs, still loads of syringes!

[@richardlewis2290]

A powerful testimony about the dangers of compromising one's own standards. No one believed Tyler in the beginning. Then it became clear he was really telling the truth.

[@skylineXpert]

Thats more than what can be said about Lance Armstrong. I applaud Tyler for his honesty

[@phililpb]

​@@skylineXpertTyler is no hero. He cheated as much as Lance did and only told the truth after others had came forward

[@kennethhowell5291]

Good for you! Because of your honesty your real self is shining through. Thank you!

[@marianmaslak]

Secret race is a great book. I root for you Tyler, ur the man with a big heart and that what matters the most.

[@Hans6789-j9t]

Just awesome … wish I could say I’d do the right thing under that pressure 😮 This man is to be admired with his humility🙏🏻

[@petermead8116]

Thank you for your honesty Tyler. Enjoyed this video.

[@bigbulk688]

This is one of the best speeches I've heard. Man the wisdom in this dude.

[@Swampster70]

Thanks for Oxford Union for hosting this event and thanks for Tyler for what I hope are some honest answers. As a rider for the past 35 years, I've seen at amateur level some of the things that go on and I don't think that it was much different for the pros. Fame and fortune sometimes force people to cross the line that they normally wouldn't and many would criticizes them for that but riders who are that driven don't see things the same way that even regular aspiring athletes would, let alone the general public.

[@rogerwredford]

Excellent talk. He seems deeply haunted by his decisions during his career, wearing the emotional scars quite visibly. It's very noticeable how he slowly and reflectively nods after every sentence, almost an affirmation that how he has corrected his life following his admissions was truly the right thing to do, not only for himself, but for those around him whom he obviously feels he let down massively. I started following cycling in the mid 80s, and the 90s was probably its heyday for me. But it is indeed a sport with large and macabre clouds hanging over it, probably even to this day - methods of evading detection becoming more and more sophisticated and keeping one step ahead of the authorities. Respect to the man... it takes fortitude and soul-searching to go about relieving yourself of heavy burdens of conscience. It leads you down dark paths but also out into bright light at the other end. In an age of duplicity, dishonesty and lack of integrity, certainly in big business and politics, it is refreshing to see a man confront his demons and lay his soul bare, accepting the responsibility for the results of his actions, and even welcoming them as part of his own catharsis. We could do with more it in this wasteland of morals we currently inhabit. Hats off to you, Tyler.

[@micahmaresca9763]

Very candid, and brutally truthful gentleman.........don't be so hard on yourself Tyler, you are free from the chains that bound you. Go now and do what is right. And may peace and happiness surround you. Don't forget those who you journeyed with reach out to them, make peace and help them if you can. If not go away with your head held high for your a really good and honest man.

[@hawkrider88]

I'll be brutally truthful as well....Tyler, the hair style isn't working for you.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Excellent video. Thanks for posting. He's right about the GT's teams should be pared down to 7, or even 5 riders, and the races need to be easier overall. I think having two rest days is also important. But I still think there should be one epic day in any GT. In the old days that often separated the true leaders, and brought out winners.

[@jamesscheuer8367]

Superb speech and interview. History will look favorably upon you, Tyler.

[@rodbrown8306]

You're a great man TH. I like to remember the highs, they were amazing says.

[@1nvisible14]

*I remember TH and Tug from the Glory Days. Thanks for putting yourself on the line.*

[@kristofverschueren2069]

Massive respect for your honesty, I presume it must have been a difficult thing after all those years. Grtz from Belgium, take care Tyler!

[@noz_redna]

His monologue was very well done and enthralling. His answers in the Q&A session left a lot to be desired.

[@Megadeth6633]

Yeah but I wouldn't be to harsh, he's a cyclist not a professor

[@bjambles1633]

Powerful stuff...goes way beyond the world of cycling and into how society works

[@Alia-bc3rc]

"I don't consider myself a victim.." That's probably the best line I ever heard.

[@michaelemory552]

Thank you, Tyler. You’ve done the necessary and done it well for the future of cycling.

[@perarnenilssen1460]

Respect to you Tyler. You have done a important job with opening up this dirty side of cykling.

[@myopenmind527]

I have read Tyler's excellent book and commend him for his honesty. I wish you well. 👍

[@JakePicci]

Finally read The Secret Race after wanting to read it for a few years. Finished it in less than a week. Such a great book and amazing story

[@richardcarr6493]

that was the most honest and humble confession of his experience .Great interview

[@shaman_ns]

Exactly my thoughts. People listen to him because he is humble and down to earth. Armstrong, although charismatic is arrogant

[@benboughton1]

"I wish I knew then, that giving back an Olympic gold medal would feel better than winning it" - that is one hell of a line. TH seems like a complete legend - thank you for your honesty and for what you have done for the sport in the past decade. Chapeau

[@jackburton6998]

I have read every book in that room. Except that brown one...

[@richcastle6796]

Vladimir Putin that's the best book there mate!!!

[@jackburton6998]

Well I wish you would have said something sooner.

[@gzbike]

Brilliant..... still can't stop laughing

[@55mblindy]

Vladimir Putin LoL

[@timfairbanks4595]

Ahh... So *only* the RED ones ;-) Very good, Comrade.

[@anthonylorbach1884]

I read his book and enjoyed it quite a bit.

[@na-dk9vm]

Does it go much into all the physical training he did even before he started doping??

[@mandy3637]

Well done Tyler and good for you speaking the truth

[@ImranWorldCyclist]

Respect to you Tyler!

[@kylejohnson617]

'Back then?' the truth is, the top 30 - 50 riders on the tour are taking PED's. You heard him, the equivalent of a marathon every day for 3 weeks, UP MOUNTAINS! It is not possible without PED's to do those times and recover quick enough. There's always new 'gear' on the scene for them to take.......and every rider and every team boss is aware of the situation. It's organised fraud to obtain huge sponsorship deals and salaries. Tyler isn't feeling any guilt whatsoever, it's part and parcel of the sport.....Olympics too. Only a fool is fooled by this fraud and Tyler is more than happy to make hundreds of thousands of dollars writing and talking about his criminal activity. Fuck him and his cronies.

[@raphaeltiziani7476]

It is possible. Just not at those speeds. And even more not at the speeds of the past. Today they are much slower on the climbs.

[@Jason-me1bs]

So he also dopes, isn’t as good as Armstrong so decides to whistle blow after not becoming a winner and now everyone treats him as a hero. Go figure. Had he won a tour it would be a very different attitude.

[@007tcby]

Thankyou Tyler for your honesty and humility. You should be very proud of all that you have done. I respect you very much. You may have testified against friends but you did not do this to destroy people but just bring out the truth. Lance on the other hand set out to destroy people. Greg Lemond, Betsy Andreou and Frankie, his masseuse Emma O'Reiley, David Walsh.

[@DurianriderCyclingTips]

As if Lance was clean though. Frankie doped and his wife financially benefited from it and they both do still today as he gets jobs in cycling. If he was clean and therefore a shit rider then nobody would care who he was and he would be working in a bike shop or something like the rest of the clean riders.

[@007tcby]

Nobody would have cared much if Lance only cheated. But he didn't he was an asshole and treated everyone like shit. Most of the top are doping Christophe Basson was one who was totally clean. Even the peloton acknowledges this. But Armstrong bullied him out of cycling. The man has no moral compass.

[@justbreakingballs]

Tom Montgomery enough moral posturing. Lance was being attacked and had the furthest to fall. People were trying to destroy him. How would you react if someone was trying to destroy you?

[@007tcby]

I would certainly argue back to defend my self. But to use your money and lawyers to destroy someone's lively hood is reprehensible. The only problem for Lance was he was lying. Greg Lemond, the Andreous and Emma O'Reilly were not.

[@karlmathew1342]

David Walsh was asked in an interview who he considered the top 3 riders that enhanced cycling. His no.1 pick was known to have used steroids. FACT. So for a man on such moral high ground, he made a fool of himself.

[@islandsidetv]

wish someone had asked about that climb with the broken collar bone - that was gnarly

[@gabrieleparavano3734]

Tyler, thank you for being honest. Being on the right part has no price.

[@taylor1991]

I hope these students know just how hard this bloke was when he cycled

[@nznegativeions]

Did the bike make him hard, did he not have a seat?

[@lilleparber]

I believe he once won a stage in the Tour de France with a broken collarbone.

[@fancifulrat]

Not so hard under questioning .

[@lukefitzsimmons3797]

Which cycle u talkin about??? Lmfao

[@SacCarScene]

Doubt it, unless they have a passion for the sport. and cycle themselves.

[@shooter7a]

The gel cap Tyler is talking about at 6:15 is Andriol. Testosterone, taken orally, is reabsorbed through the portal vein and immediately deactivated by the liver and thus produces no results. Testosterone Undecanoate in Andriol, however, is reabsorbed from the intestine through the lymphatic system, bypassing the liver and thus becoming effective. Liver function is in no way affected by this process of reabsorption.

[@NealyLL]

We found about about the extent of doping in cycling……… ALL other sports have still to be revealed….. This is a culture in Professional Sports not just cycling . Having said that Tyler Hamilton has came out of it all a winner in my eyes. The guy was formidable during his time.

[@stupidas9466]

Check out the Dubin Inquiry. It resulted from Ben Johnson getting caught doping. Hours and hours of testimony from the athletes, coaches, and doctors on the true extent of the doping and how they were always ahead of the testing. They only got caught when they screwed up the dates and pushed it too far.

[@brennanbrown4253]

tyler hamillton was a great racer and a great teammate to those guys. he was young and carried massive weight. he rode broken to do his job. this guy is someone i would like to meet someday. i love cycling and that era was insane with the highest level of competition. none of those guys backed down from a fight .

[@litestuf]

That takes more courage than winning Olympic gold ten times. Bravo to you young man, YOU are a true hero.

[@richardlewis2290]

Amazing truthfulness and clarity. I salute you.

[@mattybt400]

I knew a sportsman back some years ago who had full access to all types of medications and performance enhancers. He had rugby customers, footballers, gymnasts, Gaelic footballers, tennis players and even a golfer calling for supplies. None of these were the elite level. None were even the 'elite' in the local city where I lived. That's how widespread doping is.

[@alir1210]

Lol those are just tweakers with a hobby haha

[@HushemFlupskluk]

I had a girlfriend a while ago who said she was in a top swimmers youth educational program. She said that she had to drink supplements as food but she did not want to because she wanted normal food. She was excluded from the program because she refused to take the unknown supplements. I would not be surprised if they start giving PED's to top youth sporters aswell. PED's are all over the place in sports.

[@happydays8171]

HushemFlupskluk Not saying it's right or moral, but a school spends a million $ on a new pool, or $2 million on a rubberized track and artificial turf, they want their athletes to win no matter what the cost.

[@mikewalsh529]

Is it just me or does he look on something now. Looks at his eyes and how they keep going all over the place and his reactions

[@hhuodod2209]

Some times i take tramadol on ling rides x

[@jenniferpandolfi7049]

Now I'm a Tyler Hamilton fan. Thanks man :)

[@SpideyGin]

Great video! Tyler seems like a really genuine and down to earth rad dude.

[@lawrencelibby3607]

I remember so well. Followed closely. We met in Mass, years earlier, at SRP. Thank you. Took a lot of courage.

[@dougreid3436]

Tyler is not just speaking about his own experiences but the archetypal athlete who will do anything to win. He is speaking about the transformation of the person who is honest with his/her ideals. If you cheat, whether or not anyone discovers or not, you have to live with it, and according to Tyler cheating is not worth it! I will be showing this video to my athletic/sporting son when he is old enough so that he can learn from those who have come before him that cheating is always wrong. The question you will asks is what about those cheaters who win and get away with it? This is why we need to continue actively pursuing cheaters in sports, and those that get away will ultimately live with the consequences for ever, living diminished, weak lives. Spread the word and lets create a world of athletes who respect their futures and the ideals and concept of sport. Our biggest enemy are the money makers of sports (corporations and cheating Nations of the world) who don't care about the individual, only corporate profit.

[@porcupinecraig]

The problem is, there are a lot more Lance Armstrongs out there and few Tyler Hamiltons. I used to compete and be involved in sports. One thing I learned is that there is always someone who is willing to cheat and they don't care about it at all. They don't feel guilty and they have no conscious. They do have a lot of excuses. From little league up to the very top, I always saw athletes who were more than willing to cheat and thought nothing of it.

[@aaronfarley14]

I’ve watched a number of videos of Tyler and as a young man in the sport that he loved he got in deep knowing that it was either doping or giving up his dream.He’s always accepted responsibility for the choices he made and has never accused others of forcing anything on him. He seems a lovely human being and I wish him and his family all the very best.

[@dannyshannon9103]

Thank you Tyler.

[@simon4043]

I came to this from reading his book "The Secret Ride" It is gripping! What a humble and genuine guy

[@fall0rn]

A little man with a big heart! thank you tyler!

[@drloppy]

It’s a shame the adverts kept getting interrupted by some cyclist talking. More adverts next time and less padding please

[@againstdrivingdrunk614]

He can run his own ads after the first guys get caught!

[@afritimm]

Pay for a subscription, cheapskate. Netflix isnt free either.

[@cfcreative1]

What a hero this guy is to me.

[@johnfranklin1955]

Tyler said it, “it was about keeping up” If you didn’t dope, you didn’t win.

[@donmiller2908]

A vicious circle. To stay competitive you had to dope.

[@criticalmile5631]

Comptemplating Chris Froome decision that he won doping case for TDF 2018. Tyler you are an amazing man and athlete. All respect. Thank you.

[@cameronsmith3966]

I do like Tyler's transparency of the whole cycling sport. I wish more people would reveal there experiences. Maybe when more of them retire?

[@carmennemura6138]

What an awesome talk! Great job Tyler.

[@Richz2]

The governing bodies in sports are just as guilty as a doping sportsman. The International Cycling Union (UCI ) knew what was going on for years, but turned a blind eye to it. Hamilton mentioned himself that some sports don't think they have a problem, which clearly can't be the case. Doping will never go away, but educating the younger generation better will help in a small way but, sadly, it will never go away.

[@twright1983]

news agreed - fat hein verbruggen was the real villain - turned a blind eye to Armstrong while slowly banning his rivals when they were busted (rightly so)

[@joeyslats31]

the same could be said for several American sports at the moment as well. But they are making too much money of the athletes.

[@caroliono2997]

Cycling up mountains for a living isnt the same as running for a bus or climbing the stairs...if you've got even a very low-level case of asthma, as a cyclist you would be nuts and self-defeating not to do something about it

[@sterlinghayden4096]

Remember how big baseball players got! And how about the Pittsburgh Steelers, ...

[@lttfan9185]

add the fans to the problem (I include myself) - we want to see superhuman achievement. we pay to see it. then we complain that they alter their chemistry to do it.

[@dudeonbike800]

Great video of someone accepting their fallibility and providing a cautionary tale for the rest of us. If he had said "no" when he was first offered PEDs, then we'd have never learned his name. He'd have quietly exited the top echelon of the sport and never attained the results or notoriety that we've come to know. Instead, his replacement or his replacement's replacement would have said "yes." And then years later perhaps that someone would be telling the tale. Perhaps I was one of those who never got to the levels Mr. Hamilton achieved because I never was given that choice. Not that I have any regrets, but I do now know that I was competing directly with top amateur and pros who were most definitely doping. Without a doubt. So perhaps I'm that person you never heard about because I never had the chance to be tempted by the lure of the results PEDs promised back then. Such a shame that cheating is rampant at the top levels of almost everything. College scandals, sex scandals, financial scandals, you name it. And unfortunately as the slice of the economic pie gets thinner and thinner for Americans, many more will feel compelled to cross the line to achieve advantage or success.

[@pasodeminick]

I'm spanish and i'm constantly blamed when I say that long before Armstrong and his team were doped, doping in cycling was and still there. I can't proove Indurain was doped, surely he was the best and a beast, but winning 5 tours and 2 Giro's in a row is the result of an exceptional cyclist+doping. Ever since, the real race is between teams and their "doctors" and the UCI capability to detect doping. My nephew (actually 24 y/o was a real beast at cycling being only 16, he began to have some semi-professional offers and all of them included a diet control (which is something natural to progress into top level) and a "medical additional improvement". My sister decided since in those days that he could cycle as a hobby.

[@Fordworldrallyfan]

Was (Luis) Ocana ever accused of/suspected of using any PEDs at all??

[@marylroberts6400]

Very powerful and enlightening speech.

[@Underhills]

Wonder how many of those students have taken PED's to pass exams. There's alot of pills and substances swapping hands in the academic environment. To enhance concentration, mental endurance, stay up all night studying etc.

[@Fordworldrallyfan]

Used to be 'crossroads' amphetamines. Now it is Ritalin, or some derivative of that.

[@MarioGarcia-hz7cf]

Respect for this man.

[@ricric9521]

That's got to be intimidating, to be standing so close to a large group of people baring your soul and secrets without even a pedestal for an emotional shield.

[@James-ye7rp]

Thanks Tyler, important to get this out, and for your own benefit.

[@50gary]

I'd liked to ask a question of that "class" of Oxford students. How many of you use drugs? How many have used stimulants to do an all-nighter to finish a paper or cram for a exam? How many smoke dope? George Harrison and John Lennon dropped acid for the very first time at Harrison's Dentist's home. The next day Harrison and Lennon wrote a hit song about the experience. there's an interview on KZbin of Harrison telling the story, performance enhancing drugs are more than just in sports. And to boot artists are revered and rewarded for doing such things. I really don't care much one way or the other but I do have a problem when one sector is singled out. Lance Armstrong is a pariah. If they tested most athletes (and not just pros) they'd find a great many guilty. College, High School, and even masters amateurs.

[@Bayo106]

@SpaghettiandSauce yep

[@afritimm]

You are correct. In the Lance Armstrong period, probably 95% of the top cyclists were doping. He was singled out because he won so much and because he was pretty arrogant. But he won against others doing the same stuff, so in my view they were fair wins.

[@raykleiner3151]

How courageous an interview. Tyler Hamilton still is one of my most influential cyclists from the 90's TDF era. It takes a real man to stand up and say I was wrong. None of this takes away his amazing career as a cyclist. Thanks, Tyler.

[@johnbailey520]

I like Tyler, still have a hat he signed for me at TOC. Good luck to you.

[@wieslawstopa6799]

and the truth shall make you free. Greetings from Poland Tyler.

[@kiely4561]

he should have narrated the audio book version of the secret race himself, he tells the story very articulately

[@simokokko7550]

Great speech and good that Tyler is talking about the problem. Like he said there's lots of doping in every sports and cross country skiing is somewhat familiar to me as a Finn. Finnish XC skiing team had terrible doping scandal during 2001 World Championships in Lahti, Finland. It was national disgrace because it was home games. 6 Finnish skiers got caught from doping. They used Hydroxyethyl starch. That substance is used to hide the EPO or blood doping. I think also now in XC skiing there are lots of skiers who use doping but they know how to play the game and not get caught. Also one other thing that Tyler said about costs. EPO vs high altitude training. One other thing came to my mind from XC skiing: Fluorine wax ban which is planned by FIS. Fluorine waxes are bad for health and for environment but they are comparatively cheap in racing situations (expensive for normal use). If fluorine wax ban is coming at some point then it might mean that smaller national teams don't have same chances to winning anymore because they don't have enough resources for ski testing and maintenance etc. So what I want to say is that competitive sports in top level is always somehow rigged and usually those that have most resources tend to win.

[@Fordworldrallyfan]

Weren't some of the Scandinavian national XC Skiing teams (along with those countries' distance runners) among the very first to actually use blood doping/'packing', like WAY WAY back in the late '60s (or even earlier), long before it was ever officially banned, or even considered "cheating"??

[@TheopticnerveX]

This guy talks a lot in the library.

[@aashishkumar9696]

Hahaha.... Good one! 👌

[@bradfordreddingii9321]

Takes alot of guts to speak publicly about your failures; I commend you on that. At least, there are people out there that can own up to their mistakes...I made some dumb decisions in the past that should of destroyed me but the truth does set one free.

[@krisbowditch827]

Top dude.. He's bang on about other sports too... Compelling viewing..Respect Tyler

[@thomasstanners1967]

Great question & answer session. I do feel he's still quarded on a few things but who can blame him, glad he's moving on and the best of luck to him.👌

[@stefanhoffman7395]

Doping has more appeal in cycling because a grand tour is BONKERS. Im a half decent cyclist and if i rode one day in the tour i would be toast for a week. They barely get to that point at the end "they should make it easier". That wont be a popular idea but ya, pretty much. Nobody is trying to do 5 ironmans in a week.

[@na-dk9vm]

The iron cowboy did more than 5 full distance in a row.

[@matthewryan9391]

Across all grounds and exploits, There is no dream. The dream lies, stays and matters really only to the individual. Misguided off that and you’re an afterthought/gone No one ultimately cares because we’re all consumed with our own path. Block out noise and do for you Whatever that might be. Follow your heart but make sure you know why and what it is you’re chasing. Life is meaningless It only is when you YOU add meaning to it. I appreciate this. Because we are imperfect and sharing is selfless and kind.

[@cloudbudget]

One point not made when Tyler is asked which sports are most suspect is that sports where endurance and/or sheer power are supremely required are the ones most at risk of doping. Running and swimming, cycling (any distance), soccer (due to the sheer amount of running and number of games played), lifting, jumping, throwing, wrestling, MMA, boxing, cross country skiing, etc. Sports that are more skill-based like driving, golf, darts, and ping-pong, benefit less from doping assistance. Sports like tennis, baseball, cricket, and basketball are in between.

[@afritimm]

How about being POTUS?

[@KC-UT4rmAZ]

As an Olympic medalist once said. "In certain sports i've never met someone who won the gold in the Olympics that wasn't on or doing something whether it be this or that. Everyone is doping up something."

[@maxcaddy8914]

i think Sir David "therapeutic use exemption" Brailsworth and Sir Bradley "almost terminal asthma therapeutic use exemption" Wiggins need to look at this ...

[@mattybt400]

Those two could write a book on how to dope and get away with it.

[@TwentyTwenty90]

Let us remember that Froome was almost out of a contract with Sky in 2011. Something happened in the middle of that season, engendering one of the more miraculous transformations in cycling history - and it wasn't simply losing weight or having his alleged Bilharzia treated. You really have to be incredibly naive to think Sky are an ethical outfit, this has been proven to the contrary time and time again.

[@mattybt400]

Thomas W yes - anyone who has even a clue about cycling knows the story.

[@willywonka7245]

Thomas W thank you sir, I have thought this about froome for years, relatively no palmares, and he wins three TDF, yeh right, he is on the gear, just like the rest of sky, brailsford is such an arrogant man, "marginal gains", yeh right, lance Armstrong must be wondering, why oh why, did I make a comeback?? That's why Wiggins chucked it after one win, a bit of savvy!!

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

I am not a Sky hater. I actually admire their precision as a team, but I have to agree with you entirely. Just because the sport isn't as doped up as when Tyler and Lance were riding, and some riders today can probably ride clean, doesn't mean the sport is clean, or Sky or anyone is winning clean with any consistency at all. You'd have to be blind to believe that.

[@Vanaration]

I enjoyed that ! Thanks for the upload 👍

[@rafaeldegiacomoaraujo8778]

respect

[@nonfictionone]

I really like tyler. Humble, supremely talented. Faced the void, went the wrong way. Now doing the thing thing.I'm sure he feels great inside. I think lance is doing the right thing now too.

[@jeanpaulkassdale]

The questions I have as a spectator : - Should I keep watching the Tour de France when everyone is cheating ? Or should I just accept it and enjoy it as it is ? - If everyone is doping, does it mean that the winner would be the same as if no one was doing drugs ? - What is the best result a clean rider can expect on the Tour de France ? - I find the race for the general pretty boring sometimes, how much of a difference would make a clean Tour in terms of entertainement ? Thank you.

[@bradfordreddingii9321]

Unfortunately, I for one, will stop watching the Tour because no one really knows who is cheating and who's not. Its sad really cause I do enjoy watching the competition unfold...until Lance decided that he's invincible...

[@abcxyz6880]

@@bradfordreddingii9321 Then you shouldn'd watch anny sport.

[@bradfordreddingii9321]

sghhbj gjdujb lol I said that I’m not watching the Tour...granted other sports have their issues however when whole cycling teams are subjected to drugs then that’s a big problem. Thoughts?

[@mohicanmowl]

Who are you? A spectator. Don't forget your role, they put a show and you buy It with emotions or Money. Doping Is none of your business, if you like Cycling you would still Watch It. Doping Is their problem, we want entertainment...you are not different

[@reallymysterious4393]

I have the EXACT same questions. I still watch it for the drama and excitement but have no respect for them because I figure they are probably still cheating. Same goes for Track and Field, NFL football, weightlifting, Serena Williams ...

[@gwhite1932]

Really enjoyed that. Thanks Tyler

[@johnwayne1087]

He was senciere when talking about his experiences. However, I feel he wanted to say so much more than that but was afraid to say something that could compromise him.

[@christopherone1]

Senciere..wth word is that

[@leonardofabbri7930]

those days I was such a fanatic of cycling as sport to watch (I'm still quite passionate and I'm an amateur rider). I still remember italian TV commentators (who were full of anecdotal) when they told us spectators about Tyler's dog death before a Tour stage and how sad he was. R.I.P. his beloved dog

[@davidgriffiths5692]

Great video. Tylers book is a fantastic eye opener and I think he is genuinely sorry for his actions, where as Lance is just sorry he got caught!

[@chrisholmes1719]

Tyler Hamilton is just an altogether decent guy.