Originally Posted by Keith99
Big problem with your theory is that the Testosterone/Epitestosterone ratio was 11 to 1. That is off the chart. Even if the testosterone level in the transfused blood was extremely high it would not push the ratio that out of line (assuming no epi in the transfusion).
At best your theory could explain part of the results, e.g. the isotope test results.
I however would seriously doubt that any team would nmake this kind of mistake.
Exactly.
Also, the OP theory seems to address the point many doctors have made: that it doesn't make sense to take testosterone just one day. But that assumes the testerone is being used for muscle building, which is not the point during the Tour. The point is recovery. And many doctors don't know about its benefits in this respect, because there are probably no studies that confirm it. It might be only a marginal benefit, and difficult if not impossible to measure scientifically, but in a race where
every second counts, that doesn't mean taking just one dose can't make a significant difference.
I think suspect his epitestosterone numbers were off. Either he didn't have enough E in his patch, or the syn E (which he would take to mask the syn T so that he can still come in under 4:1) was absorbed faster than the syn T, or something like that.