PINKHAM NOTCH, N.H. (AP) — Organizers of annual bicycle races up the Mount Washington Auto Road voided records set by Tyler Hamilton and Genevieve Jeanson because they have admitted using performance-enhancing drugs.
Hamilton, an ex-teammate of Lance Armstrong’s who received an eight-year ban from cycling in 2009 after positive tests, recently appeared on CBS’ “60 Minutes” to discuss doping. He said Armstrong not only took performance-enhancing drugs, but also encouraged other cyclists on his team to take them to keep Armstrong in front at the Tour de France. Hamilton also admitted that he, himself, had doped throughout his career.
Hamilton’s interview prompted staff to rethink whether to continue recognizing his record for the nearly 8-mile course, as well as several records held by Jeanson, race director Mary Power said Tuesday.
Jeanson admitted in a 2007 TV interview that she had been doping throughout her career, and Power said she had been questioned about her records for several years.
“These races are held independent of any other governing body, and we have never conducted drug testing for them,” Power said. “However, following the revelation by Tyler, as well as Genevieve’s earlier confirmation that she used banned drugs from the age of 16 until her retirement 10 years later, we are respecting the rulings of national and international cycling federations, and we are no longer recognizing any of their times here as records.”
Hamilton’s time in the 2006 Bicycle Hillclimb of 52 minutes, 21 seconds was a record for men ages 35 to 39. The new record-holder for that group is Mike Engleman, who finished at 53:53 in 1997.
