The USA national cycling federation, USA Cycling, confirmed that it has "received information from the UCI regarding Tyler Hamilton and his alleged involvement in 'Operation Puerto' along with a request to move forward with disciplinary action." USAC has placed the matter in the hands of the US Anti-Doping Agency, which will adjudicate.
"We received a communication from the UCI today containing the 'Operation Puerto' dossier for Mr. Tyler Hamilton and a request to open disciplinary proceedings against him," said USAC's CEO Steve Johnson. "As required by our anti-doping regulations, we have forwarded the complete dossier to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and have asked them to adjudicate this case on our behalf."
In less than two weeks, Hamilton will complete his two year suspension for blood doping in 2004. But the Operacion Puerto raids allegedly linked him to illegal doping practices in 2003. If found guilty of a second offence, he faces a life ban from cycling.
Hamilton's last statement on the Operacion Puerto affair was issued on his website, tylerhamilton.com, in August, where he denied any involvement. "What I do know is that these allegations are hurtful and false," he wrote. "It is not clear to me who is translating and alleging these things. I have never even heard of some of the substances listed within these supposed 'schedules'.
"It is also not clear why some riders have been cleared while others are being forced to wait things out. All that does seem clear is that this is not an ordinary investigation."
