Tyler Hamilton suspended from pro cycling for two years

The US Anti-Doping Agency (press release) made the announcement Monday. Hamilton told the Rocky Mountain News that he would appeal the decision by the three-member panel from the American Arbitration Association/North American Court of Arbitration for Sport that had heard the case several months ago.

Hamilton, 34, had tested positive for blood doping at the Vuelta d'Espana on Sept. 11, 2004. He also had questionable doping results after the Summer Games in Athens, but the Olympic committee allowed him to keep his gold medal in the individual time trial after a back-up sample was destroyed.

Hamilton was fired from the Phonak team after the allegations were made. In today's diary on his website, Hamilton maintains his innocence and explains his defense against the allegations. VeloNews reports on the ruling and explains why the split decision.

Essentially, blood doping means that an athlete gets a transfusion of another person's blood to increase the red-blood cell count, thereby increasing endurance. The blood doping method has been common among cyclists for many years and the International Cycling Union and other regulatory bodies have been trying to stop it.

Hamilton received the maximum two-year suspension for a first-time offense, the USADA said. He'll be able to compete again beginning April 17, 2007.

The USADA ruling is available here.

On June 1, 2005, Hamilton asked the Court of the Arbitration of Sport to overturn his case.