Hamilton in First U.S. Race Since Ban

"Still take it one day at a time" Tyler Hamilton feared his return to competitive cycling, unsure what to expect in his first race in the United States after a two-year doping ban.After the first stage of the Tour de Georgia on Monday, the former Olympic gold medalist was encouraged.Hamilton was 56th, finishing in the middle of a huge peloton about a minute behind the stage winner, Daniele Contrini of Italy. Contrini finished the 97-mile ride from Peachtree City to Macon in 3 hours, 24 minutes, 26 seconds.Hamilton is attempting to reclaim his place among the elite in cycling after his suspension in September 2004 for blood doping, the transfusion of extra blood that can increase endurance. He has been racing in Europe since January but Monday was his first sanctioned race in his home country since the 2001 San Francisco Grand Prix. Read more

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