Update: April 17, 2009: Tyler Hamilton admits taking banned substance; retires from cycling
Tyler Hamilton is the new US pro road champion after winning in Greenville, South Carolina, on Sunday by the width of a tire.
VeloNews calls it one of the biggest wins of his career.
It's significant because it comes in the second season after Hamilton completed a two-year doping suspension. It's also significant because Hamilton is 37 and considered retiring after last year's nationals. Does anyone expect him to retire while holding the US title?
Finishing with the silver was Blake Caldwell of Garmin-Chipotle, followed by teammate Danny Pate with bronze.
Defending road champ Levi Leipheimer was in Spain working for Astana at the Vuelta a Espana. Hometown favorite and previous winner George Hincapie finished in 22nd place, followed by Garmin's Christian Vande Velde in 23rd.
The finish
Hamilton, who rides for Rock Racing, was up against three Garmin-Chipotle riders and BMC's Jeff Louder in a five-man breakaway that developed in the finishing circuits.
Then Garmin's Caldwell and Hamilton attacked the break and got a 15-second gap. Hamilton let Caldwell draft him for the last few kilometers, then Caldwell attacked and Hamilton matched him to the finishline, where he threw his bike to win.
Full results at CyclingNews.
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