Ric,
If he had taken the drug any time during the race it would not have made a difference in his performance. These drugs will produce a high level of testosterone but need time to build up for an effect, though they might give some immediate benefit in intensity.
It is possible someone put the drug in the drinks they pass out. Did anyone else test positive? Also, the lab in question does not have a good track record with accuracy.
I also understand that Landis will not be allowed to cycle because of steroids so now he has to go play baseball.....
Oh, and it is possible that he just took the drugs...
He might have took the drug. What concerns me is something else.
Both his and Armstrong's results were leaked to the press based on a single test. As I deal with chemical analysis on a routine basis, I assure you that the probability of a single test giving wrong results is VERY high. Leaks were against all the rules and specifically designed to undermine reputation of American sportsmen before anything had been known one way or another.
but now that the "B" sample has come back positive, is there any supportable argument he can still make that he didn't ingest testosterone? could cortisone shots, etc have resulted in synthtic testosterone being found in his system?
Since Cortisone is a cortico-steroid (mimics the hormone released by the adrenal glands) it should not have any effect on testosterone levels. Testosterone is an ANABOLIC steroid which is designed to increase muscle size. Cortico steroids reduce inflammation.
They are two entirely different types of hormones and work on entirely differnt systems. So, Cortisone should not be looked to as the answer to the test result.
Commenting by HaloScan
