The 2004 Olympic time trial champion has been racing in Europe since January, but Monday will mark the first time Hamilton turns the cranks in a UCI race on American soil since the 2001 San Francisco Grand Prix.

Since then, the now 36-year-old has seen quite a few ups and a healthy share of downs, at a rate few of us will ever know. He won stages at the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, took victories at the Tour de Romandie and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and won gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

But all that, as any cycling fan knows, seems like a lifetime ago. In September 2004, Hamilton was suspended for illegal blood doping, putting in motion one of the most contentious and controversial sagas in cycling history.

After appealing his case to sport's highest court - and staunchly maintaining his innocence throughout - the former teammate of Lance Armstrong was forced to sit out two of his peak athletic years.

Now he's back and determined to reclaim his place among cycling's elite. VeloNews caught up with Hamilton following the Tour de Georgia's opening press conference for a wide-ranging interview. Here are some of the highlights:

VeloNews.com: Do you even remember the last big race you did in the States?

Hamilton: Yeah, I raced the San Francisco Grand Prix in 2001. Before that it was probably 1999 when I did Redlands and the Philly week races.

VN.COM: How's the new team?

TH: My experience with the Tinkoff team has been great so far. It's a new team with a lot of young riders. I sort of mess up the average age because I'm 36. But it's been great. We've had a really strong spring. I've been more of a leader off the bike. I've been struggling physically a little bit. In March I had the flu and that turned into bronchitis. I suffered a lot but hope to be better here.

VN.COM: How closely do you follow what's going on with Floyd Landis' and his case?

TH: Lately I've fallen a little out of touch because I've been over in Europe. But I follow what's going on. I try to anyway. I haven't spoken to him in a little while.

Initially I called him as an old friend and also I know exactly what he is going through - or at least I think I know what he was going through. We share the same lawyer - Howard Jacobs. I recommended him. And certainly what Howard and I learned through our case, our mistakes, for example not making it public. Floyd is learning from our mistakes. If I could go back, I'd make my case public. That was my biggest mistake.

VN.COM: Are you using your circumstances the last two years as motivation now?

TH: I do try to use it as motivation. I'm certainly still angry which helps me to ride my bike faster. But I'm not riding for revenge or anything like that. But I'm still pretty pissed off.

VN.COM: Is there a chance that the time off could help you some? Fewer matches burned, so to speak?

TH: That's a question that I can probably answer better after a season or two. Mentally I feel fresh, champing at the bit. I'm ready to go.

VN.COM: The Giro d'Italia is the big focus for this year, right?

TH: Everything is for the Giro. Hopefully the form will come in time.

VN.COM: What would make it a success?

TH: Podium. I want to be on the podium in Milan.

VN.COM: What kind of reception have you gotten from your fellow riders?

TH: All the riders I've spoken with have been supportive. So many people came up to me and gave me a hug or shook my hand, and said, "It's great you are back. It's good to see you."

No one has come up to me and flipped me the bird. If they choose to, that's fine. I respect that.

VN.COM: How about the fans?

TH: I've gotten a lot of support. A lot of people are happy to see me back. I mean everyone has a right to their own opinion, but to be honest most of what has been written about me hasn't been 100 percent true.

I basically lost the battle of public opinion. Sorry, but a lot of that is to lazy journalism. That was a shame and that's why if I could go back I'd make it a public hearing.

VN.COM: Your name came up last summer in connection with Operación Puerto. What's your answer to those charges?

TH: Take my hair if you want. Do whatever you want. For me it's all done. Nobody has ever called me about Operación Puerto. Nobody sent me any questions. People are welcome to call me. I don't know this guy - Spanish doctor Eufemiano Fuentes. I've never met this guy. If somebody has a question, please ask me. Sure they've sent my name out to the press and I've basically gotten railroaded. But they haven't asked for my hair. If you want my hair, take it. (Hamilton then plucked a hair from his head and offered to Sumner, while answering the question.-Editor)

VN.COM: What's coming up after Georgia?

TH: I may do Liège-Bastogne-Liège. The team is in Flèche Wallonne and Liège for sure. We'll see how I do here and how I'm feeling, then I'll decide if I'm going to do those races. I think it's sort of open.

VN.COM: What's left for you in cycling long term? Do you think you can get back with a ProTour team?

TH: Absolutely. I have a one-year contract with Tinkoff with an option for a second. My aspiration is to race the Tour de France. That's still the biggest thing for me. That's the objective.

Read Cycle Sport Magazine's Article:
Team Tinkoff: The controversial new Russian owned squad

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