Teammate says Armstrong gave him performance-enhancing drugs

Lance Armstrong
FILE - In this July 6, 2010, file photo, Lance Armstrong grimacing prior to the start of the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Wanze, Belgium. Tyler Hamilton, a former teammate of Armstrong, has told CBS News that he used performance-enhancing drugs with the seven-time Tour de France winner to cheat in cycling races, including the tour. Armstrong has steadfastly denied doping and has never failed a drug test.
Christophe Ena/ASSOCIATED PRESS

By JIM VERTUNO AP Sports Writer

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Tyler Hamilton says Lance Armstrong gave him an illegal blood booster at his house before the 1999 Tour de France and the two teammates compared notes on using performance-enhancing drugs as far back as 1998.

Hamilton makes the allegations in his book, "The Secret Race. Inside the Hidden World of the Tour de France, Doping, Cover-ups and Winning at All Costs," set to be published Sept. 5. The Associated Press purchased a copy Thursday. Armstrong agent Bill Stapleton did not immediately respond to a request for comment

Hamilton and Armstrong rode together on the U.S. Postal Service team.

Armstrong has long denied doping but last week chose not to fight drug charges made by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. USADA has erased 14 years of Armstrong's competitive results, including his seven Tour de France titles.