|
Armstrong probably uses HGH which like TGH was until recently untraceble.
Consider this, in the seasons prior to Armstrong's illness he was a very poor cyclist. He couldn't climb, he was in the bottom third of time trialist in the tour. He won a couple of break-away road stages in the Northern part of the tour on the flat. In fact he was best known for being involved ina slapping match with another cyclist that got him fined.
He comes back from illness and he becomes the best climber in the world, he blows everyone away in the time trials.
Consider that the two different skills require two very different physiologies. Climbers tend to be small and light with very high power-to weight rations. Time trialist have to produce a high level of power over a long period time. Even the best cyclists in the world have never been masters of all. Mercxx, hinault, Indurian etc, were the best in one area and good in the other. Mercxx rode in the mountains to not lose the tour, so that if he lost 3 minutes he could make it up against the climbers in the time-trial, knowing that climbers can't time trial.
Consider that Armstrong's comeback opened the US market to the tour and was also some welcome publicity following the Festina debacle and that cycling is something of a needle culture anyway. Also, Cyclng has yet to sign up to the WADA code of conduct yet.
Most drugs that are taken by cyclists concern recovery time and tend to be taken in the off-season. I suggest you look at how few races Armstrong rides in as well. This means that he actually rarely gets tested.
In my opinion, the improvement in Armstrong's ability and the way in which he rides leads me to conclude that his performance is drug enhanced.
|