Actually at least 1 positive test, which was later “cleared”:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/5043260.stm
The fact of the matter is the dopers tend to be ahead of the testers. That’s why they store samples for later with better testing. In track and field and cycling a really significant percentage of awarded winners have their wins stripped 5 or 6 years later. There’s an Olympic sprint from the 90s that no longer has a bronze medal winner because 6 of the 8 women to run in the finals had their stored samples test positive.
He was allowed to take cortisone for saddle sores, so that isn’t failing a drug test. I’m aware of the storage of samples for future testing. I stated in an earlier post that I wouldn’t be surprised if he used, but hearsay isn’t proof.
That FACT is known by the Tour, by the USADA and by everyone else. In order for him to have any testosterone in his system it HAS TO BE EXOGENOUS testosterone. So while being treated for testicular cancer he would have been prohibited from taking this because of how it may stimulate his cancer. OK, so far.
Now we talk about rehabilitation. In order for him to continue he may have been given testosterone in order to get him to "baseline" levels. These levels vary throughout the day and even hourly depending on sleep, diet and stress. The methods used to find "cheaters" has gone to a place where the ratio of precursor to final testosterone is used, the percentage of free testosterone is used or the total level of testosterone is used. Some of the ratios find that "normal ratios" of epi/testosterone of 4-1 up to 8-1 are within the ranges of normals and some of the positive tests have levels up to 15 or 16 to 1. (baseball players recently).
He may have been given a waiver, he may have been given it in bursts and now there is a short acting testosterone that clears daily.
My point in this long rant is that unless his testicular cancer is addressed and the treatment is also addressed then all the testing is useless because of Lance's unique problem. (having his balls cut off) As far as what type of person he is, I have no idea.
What do I think of this USADA ruling... it's all a scam power play to take over cycling by typical bureaucrats. Whoever controls the samples controls the sport.