Have to say, in all honesty, that I am a little troubled at how they avoided the SOL. I can see stripping him of everything within it. I understand their reasoning. Not sure I can agree with it 100%.

He was offered a deal letting him keep 5 TdFs and his bronze medal from Sydney, if he admitted doping. He told them to stuff it, and within 6 months went on national TV and admitted it all. His thinking process there also eludes me.