The SI writer may have been referencing this article:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/analysis-armstrongs-tour-blood-levels-debated
I wrote:
" Finally, we have the data for the blood tests taken during the Tour de France 2009. As noted previously the data are all well within the normal limits. A Danish researcher has pointed to, what he considers an anomaly, when Armstrong’s Hb value increased from 137 to 144 g/L from the 11 to the 14 July. However, avoiding discussion of any possible physiological variation, the fact is that the measurement error is about 1%. Add to that the blood sampling error, which is of the same magnitude, and you find that there is no statistical significant difference between the two values.
The discussion whether it is abnormal for the blood values to remain constant during week long bicycle races belongs to the scientific literature, and not to the anti-doping agencies. Some researchers have shown the Hb, and Hcr values decline during prolonged periods of physical exercise, but this is not a universal observation. Likewise, the mechanism for an exercise induced decline in Hb is not determined. Possible "culprits" are exercise induced destruction of red blood cells, reduction in iron stores, or fluid shifts in the body. Well trained individuals appear less affected than sedentary individuals."
(In my original post there followed a few links to statements by haematologists.)
Regarding the same set of data Michele Ferrari writes:
"The [Danish] study of Morkeberg et Al (Int J Sports Med 2009, 30: 130-138) shows the data of 7 (seven!) cyclists gathered during the TdF 2007.
From here to extrapolate a behavior common to all athletes, in all circumstances, is quite a stretch.
The same Authors of the study, commenting in an interview to DR Sport on Armstrong's data during the TdF 2009 (cyclingnews.com 10/09/2009), stated:
- “Of course we cannot state that he is doping” (Morkeberg)
- “Using those guidelines (of the Biologic Passport, ndr) …I have not established that there was any illegal matter in this case” (Damsgaard).
At the same time, Prof. Hans Erik Heier commented [a Norwegian haematologist]: “The Hb values are too low for it to be possible to manipolate them down there. I interpret this to mean that he must be clean”.