Tyler Hamilton

Tyler Hamilton was one of the top-ranked cyclists worldwide, known for his unwavering endurance and dedication to the sport. From 1998 to 2000 he rode with the U.S. Postal Service team, as Lance Armstrong’s most trusted lieutenant, and a member of his inner circle. Tyler later left in 2001 to become a top professional independently.

Tyler is best known for his victory in the 2004 Olympics, receiving a gold medal in the individual time trial. Although, only weeks later his career came to a sudden end, as he was suspended for doping and exiled from the sport.

His last win was in the 2008 US National Championship, but later in 2009 he had a doping positive, and subsequently retired. After the denying of performance enhancing drug use, in 2010 the Federal Government launched an investigation into systematic doping on the U.S. Postal Service team. Tyler was summoned to testify before a grand jury and was the first to break the code of silence that had protected the sport’s truth for so long. His testimony displayed a long history of performance enhancing drug use which was promoted and aided by team doctors, managers and coaches.

Some of Tyler’s other significant victories in the sport included, Dauphiné-Libéré in 2000, placing second in the Giro d’Italia in 2002, and the Tour of Romandie in 2003-2004. As well as being the only American rider to win one of the five Monuments of cycling, winning the Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2003. Tyler raced professionally from 1995 to 2008, and currently lives in Montana where he runs his own training business, ‘Tyler Hamilton Training, LLC.’, for cyclists of all capabilities

In 2012, Tyler released his memoir, ‘The Secret Race: Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France: Doping, Cover-ups, and Winning at All Costs’, in which he describes his captivating journey, the severe choices he had to make when deciding to compete at a world class level, and his intricate relationship with Lance Armstrong. His book became an instant New York Times bestseller, and received the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year award.

After being freed from the burden of hiding the truth, Tyler’s story is an example of how culture can drive behavior and cause values to be compromised, not only in sports, but in business and life as well. He explores the transformational power of the truth, and going against the status quo.