Tyler Hamilton throws Lance Armstrong under the bike over doping on 60 Minutes (VIDEOS)

Plenty of people have accused bike icon Lance Armstrong of doping, including Tour De Lance author Bill Strickland. But finger-pointing by Boulder-based Tyler Hamilton, Armstrong's onetime teammate on the U.S. Postal Service Team, has had the greatest impact by far, in part because of the platform he used: 60 Minutes,...

By Michael Roberts

May 23, 2011

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Plenty of people have accused bike icon Lance Armstrong of doping, including Tour De Lance author Bill Strickland. But finger-pointing by Boulder-based Tyler Hamilton, Armstrong's onetime teammate on the U.S. Postal Service Team, has had the greatest impact by far, in part because of the platform he used: 60 Minutes, which last night aired a lengthy and damning exposé delivered by newly named CBS Evening News anchor Scott Pelley. See it and more below.

CBS clearly wants to make it as difficult as possible for Armstrong's camp to dismiss the report. Online extras also on view here include a special package about the assembling of the report and a special feature on Hamilton that focuses on his background -- including his willingness to pedal hurt. The subtext suggests that this isn't simply a cash grab on the part of Hamilton, whose career was essentially ended by positive blood tests, but a credible allegation capable of staining Armstrong's "Live Strong" motto with the bitterest irony.

Here's the two-part 60 Minutes report on Armstrong, who helped former governor Bill Ritter announce a new Colorado pro bike last August, followed by the aforementioned web extras:

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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