I know Lance well

Originally Posted by Martin Jackson

No, not the same at all. In cycling there are a few riders who are clean. Some are clean but still get busted. That really bothers me. Take Tyler Hamilton's case. There is clear evidence that the test was bad and that there were more than a few possible genetic explanations for the test results, nevermind the fact that Hamilton's team was being blackmailed by a man on the phone at the airport.

I saw that man making the call. I ran after him in the airport like OJ in the Hertz advertisement, but when I tried to hurdle a suitcase I tripped and plowed into a baby stroller. It was ugly. The bad man got away. I think he might have been gay.

Hamilton was riding for USPS earlier, supporting Lance in several of his clean Tour victories. I became a close friend with Tyler. We spoke at length about our dogs and I was surprised to find out that his dog was named Tugboat. My dog at the time -- he's dead now, I backed over him with the benz -- was Norwegian, like the cruise line, so we formed a bond, a brotherhood if you will.

One day I ask Tyler, "If you need any help beating those guys at LBL just let me know. I can bring the power like Scotty." But he said, "No. It wouldn't be right. What would Tugboat think?"

Man, it got me. I really did. The man is sterling. Na, na, make that platinum.