Just when I was getting over feeling guilty for not mentioned Tyler Hamilton's impressive win at Liege-Bastogne-Liege last weekend, he goes and wins the Tour de Romandie today in equally decisive fashion. What a week for this guy, definitely one of the nice guys of American cycling (and cycling in general), always self-deprecating, always giving all the credit away to his team and coaches. Got to meet him once a couple of years ago at a bike swap thing over at Mount Wachusett (which they don't do any more), seemed like a very nice person, and of course he's the local guy. Sadly, his second-place finish in the Giro last year registered exactly zero coverage from the mainstream media in these parts, which is too bad. But I suppose you don't get into professional cycling as an American for the fame and fortune. The fact that he's on such a roll now, and obviously at the top of his form, makes it almost too bad that he's not competing in the Giro which starts next weekend, as he'd definitely be a favorite. On the other hand, if was planning on competing in the Giro, he probably wouldn't have done at least one if not both of these classics that he ended up winning. But the Tour de France is the big enchilada, so you can't fault him or his team, CSC, or his coach, former Tour winner Bjarne Riis, from focusing on that race instead. Is Lance actually vulnerable this year for once? Still doesn't seem like Ullrich is much of a threat. A handful of other guys look promising, but the team is as important as the individual when it comes to the three weeks of the Tour, and Hamilton may be right in saying that they have the best team out there right now. I'd still like to see Lance win #5, but if he can do it with Tyler coming in second, that would really show the French a thing or two.