Hamilton, Rock Racing Fighting Mad Over Rider Exclusions
Ahead of stage one of the Tour of California, the Rock Racing team was still up in arms about the exclusion of its three GC stars, Santiago Botero, Oscar Sevilla, and Tyler Hamilton. In particular, the American Hamilton had plenty to say about his exclusion from the eight day stage race. “AEG still owes me an explanation, to my face, about why I was excluded this year. I need to see some real hard evidence. I have yet to see that. I’ve served my time long ago.”
Hamilton’s frustration stemmed from a letter that was sent to his Rock Racing team just days before the Tour was to start. Hamilton stated, “Two days before the Tour of California was about to start, there was a letter from Pat McQuaid of the UCI telling us we were free to race.” The letter Hamilton speaks of was provided to the press at the Rock Racing press conference on the Saturday before the race.
Hamilton clamied that the letter that AEG received from the UCI never made its way to the Rock Racing camp. “They say they have a letter from the UCI saying we’re (Botero, Hamilton, Sevilla) under investigation, but they have yet to show that to us. They (AEG) claimed to have that letter almost 48 hours ago, and they have yet to disclose it to us. We’re owed that document. Or the public should see it, they (Amgen) should print it in the press. Provide full disclosure. I haven’t seen that letter to this day, so tell them I want that document if you see them.” Reached for comment during stage two, AEG representative Andy Messick declined comment.
Far from defeated, Hamilton explained that there was plenty of fight left in the Rock Racing camp. “Although we’re really limited in this race, with less guys to help out or leaders, our focus is really on stages. With Botero, Sevilla and myself, we had three GC guys who were all riding, I’d say, pretty well, and we all had a shot at being in the top ten, top five, but now that’s no longer a goal.”
Hamilton and his barred teammates will still show their faces to the crowd throughout the week. “Santi (Botero), Oscar (Sevilla) and myself will ride the stage today ahead of the race. I’m planning on riding this race next year, so we might as well get a look at the stages so we’re ready in 2009.”
For long-term plans, Hamilton is steadfast that he’ll press on as a rider. “I’m here for a long time. I plan on racing for awhile now. My next race for me will be Redlands and then Tour of Georgia.” AEG is also the organizer of the Tour of Georgia, but Hamilton doesn’t see any problems with riding. “No, there shouldn’t be any problems, I should be racing here.”
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I don’t think AEG is the organizer of the Tour de Georgia. I believe Medalist Sports provides the technical event services for the ToC and Tour de Georgia, but I don’t think AEG has anything to do with the Tour de Georgia, so hopefully we will see a full Rock Racing team at other events.
If there is a real proof that they cheat….they for themselves must to leave the cycling scene…..for the new gnereation of ciclists.
They first must to do something real truly that they are with a new mental atage in cycling,,maybe as to race for no money or to race and to give all their money for one season to the new cycling clubs with a lot of young minds,…or somethng even better.