"especially people like Tyler Hamilton now raking it in and getting awards on the back of his "regret" at having stolen wins and prize money, contracts and honours"
I got the TH Secret Race book as a present so haven't contributed to his wealth directly (!)
A few years ago people may have read LA's books in the hope of understanding pro racing mentality. TH's book, for all it's faults, does show how the Omerta (code of silence) worked in keeping the KOTD off the hook. That and LA's ability to get the UCI to check out anyone else that threatened him. He got the UCI to get TH to turn up in person at the UCI HQ in Switzerland after tipping them off that he thought Hamilton's performance was 'not natural' (!). One of the only times a TdF rider was ever summoned there. That's how much influence he wielded.
TH admits that he was desperate to take whatever the lead riders had as this was the mark of being a pro. Lesser riders wouldn't be offered 'assistance'.
Of course the TH vs LA slanging match will roll on as Lance thought he had a beautiful thing going - spoiled by amateurs. Firstly he knew that the previous Euro riders (Riis, Pantani and Ullrich) were at it anyway and he was determined to do even more. He viewed the whole thing as a military campaign and 'refuseniks' need not apply. If you're going to do it, then do it properly, was his motto. Lie big and shoot down anything in your airspace!
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