Another ex-teammate says Armstrong used EPO

Accusations that the world's best-known cyclist, Lance Armstrong, cheated by taking performance-enhancing drugs have been made in a "60 Minutes" interview with former teammate Tyler Hamilton, who admitted he took those drugs as well.

Excerpts from the interview, which will be featured on Sunday's broadcast, were released Thursday. On Friday, Hamilton surrendered the gold medal he won in the 2004 Olympics.

Now "60 Minutes" is reporting Hamilton is not the only former teammate to claim he saw Armstrong doping.

Cyclist Hamilton hands over Olympic gold medal

CBS News chief investigative correspondent Armen Keteyian reports that, like his signature move in the mountains, Armstrong went on the attack Friday. As he has repeatedly done in the past, he targeted the credibility of those who accuse him of using illegal performance-enhancing drugs.

Armstrong on doping claims: Never a failed test

The current target: Hamilton. He told "60 Minutes" correspondent Scott Pelley about his -- and Armstrong's -- repeated use of banned substances, including the blood-boosting drug EPO.

"You saw Lance Armstrong inject EPO?" Pelly asked Hamilton.

"Yeah, like, we all did like I did many, many times," Hamilton said.

On his website, facts4lance.com, Armstrong tore into Hamilton, calling him "a confessed liar in search of a book deal."

But it turns out the six-month "60 Minutes" investigation into Armstrong is anchored in far more than the on-camera accounts of Hamilton and another former U.S. Postal teammate, Frankie Andreu.

Instead, this Sunday's report breaks major new ground based on evidence tied to an ongoing federal grand jury investigation of Armstrong in Los Angeles.

"60 Minutes" preview: Another ex-teammate testified on Armstrong and EPO

It appears the federal investigation, with its subpoenas and sworn grand jury testimony, has broken cycling's code of silence, Pelley reports. It's not known how many U.S. Postal riders were using performance-enhancing drugs, but "60 Minutes" has learned at least three have told federal authorities they used banned substances and witnessed Armstrong using them too.

One of those riders is Armstrong's other close teammate, George Hincapie. The broadcast has been told that now, for the first time, Hincapie has testified to federal investigators that he and Armstrong supplied each other with the blood-booster EPO and discussed having used testosterone, another banned substance, during their preparation for races.

Through his attorney, Hincapie declined to be interviewed, citing the ongoing investigation.

When it comes to such an investigation, sworn testimony from Hincapie is a game-changer. Quiet, untouched by scandal, he is the only rider to be at Armstrong's side for all seven of his record Tour de France victories. If anyone would know if Armstrong was doping, it would be Hincapie.

This federal investigation goes back to last August. It could end as early as next month. But what's interesting is that the federal investigator involved is the same one behind the probe of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative steroids ring, known as BALCO, which allegedly has ties to Barry Bonds.

[Scimajor]

Look, without concrete evidence the claims are worthless.

Also note, however, that we all know that cheating is rampant in organized sports. This can't be denied. It of course then begs the question as to why we pay these people millions of dollars a year to watch them cheat. Many people simply don't care.

I find no joy in watching people cheat and I make certain to impress upon my children that most of these people are very poor role models.

I was once caught up in sports. I played sports throughout school. Thankfully I came to prize intelligence over brawn long ago. The Science Channel is on my "favorites" list whilst ESPN is not.

[OnTheRoad01]

These ex team mates are as bad as he is if they are telling the truth! If what they are saying is the truth then they have been hiding the truth from the public for over 10 years and should receive the same punishment as he might get!

[marissa1865]

I am totally disgusted with cbs. Why are u trying to bring a heroe to many down for something that has not been proven, and happened years ago.I watched the Tour De france for the first time after Lance's first win. I have watched it every year that he participated. He is awsome and nothing can change my mind about that. i think Tyler and Landis are jealous losers that want to bring Lance down.

[Noval53]

CBS 60 minutes should be investigated by the Department of Justice. Why is 60 minutes leading this Witch Hunt against Lance Armstrong? Are they manipulating witnesses to get the desired result for ratings? How many more lying rats will be paid off before this is over? Will CBS 60 minutes be asking for Lance's birth certificate next?

[Mungam44]

The old "hang a buddy out to dry trick" and the real reason is??? The presumption is that he is innocent until proven otherwise. And, once he won the first Tour it would seem the blood test folks would be on high alert for any signs of doping. And, that scrutiny would appear to intensify each time he added another victory. Absent inside help from the lab folks, he must have been pretty darn good to give up all those blood samples and not get caught if he did use. And, he still had to start and then finish all those Tours out front which is no small feat.

[1176894]

I would love for the ones accusing ARMSTRONG to answer 1 question for me.WHAT DRUGS WAS HE USING?ALL,ALL,and I mean ALL the tests done on him were NEVER positive,I am sure all the ones who use drugs would like to know what drugs he was on,so they could get some for themselves.

[rondivoo]

The Lance Armstrong worshippers canNOT face the truth that their "hero" cheated, cheated, cheated.... They canNOT face the truth that the object of their worship is NOT the masterful champion and athlete they believe he is.... He is far less than what they believed... A good athlete who wanted to be world-famous and rich so he did what it took to reach that pinnacle.

[really_getalife]

With the departure of Katie Couric, I see CBS news going down an ugly path. If tabloid news monger Scott Pelly takes over, I will cease to watch CBS. All week we have watched as he has paraded these Armstrong want-to-be's in front of the camera to tell their lies to the world. Why is it that the media always gives so much credibility to the accusers and not the accused. CBS, with their promotion of this 60 min. "story", is convicting Lance, long before the grand jury investigation comes to an end. And that's the other story...why is there a federal grand jury even investigating drugs in sports? Are these millions of dollars being spent on sports investigations going to help people find jobs?, improve the economy?, lower the price of gas? The government has lost sight of what's really important. MOVE ON!! Quit wasting taxpayer money!

[reality111]

Try to be realistic.
Hincapie and others testified in front of a grand jury. Remember the case of Marion Jones.

If I one lies there under oath, that means perjury, which is criminal offence. This attracts jail sentence!

Armstrong has to be accountable to his acts. If he is cheated he deserves to be punished. It is not only about dopping but there are other more serious criminal offences on the line.

The pressure is mounting on him and it is time to face up to the real world than to live in denial.

[Noval53]

Justice IS realistic. No matter what your opinion is, you are not a judge or jury. In America there "should" be a presumption of innocence; especially since we've been down this road a hundred times before. And we can follow the CBS money to a choir of lying "rats". Repeating a lie over & over on 60 minutes does not change a lie to the truth. The pressure that is mounting is to destroy Lance Armstrong. This 60 minutes Witch Hunt has little to do with seeking the truth.

[babooph]

US news agencies covering up & the Bush administration killing war prisoners & ordering torture,& the "journalists" spend their time on 12 year old bicycle races& blood building drugs...