Originally Posted by Rowan

The issue is that sentences are based on mitigation or aggravation in the committing of the crime, and a demonstration of remorse.

There were no mitigatory circumstances in Armstrong's case and his remorse has been too late, at best, and feigned at worst.

If people bothered to research, there are various other penalties, both within the sport, and in life, that are being handed out to the people who have admitted doping in that era. Anyone would think those riders have got off scot free. They haven't. The most recent I can think of is Stuart O'Grady, who has been stripped of his membership of a prestigious peak sporting body in Australia.