JohnO said:He was specifically warned, probably more than most, that trouble was on the way.
The CAS report talks about how much Hamilton and Phonak were warned:
"On 24 April 2004, [TH] underwent a UCI health test during the Liege-Bastogne-Liege race and his reading was a little high although it was thought to be due to 'dehydration.'
On 29 April 2004, [TH] had a UCI health test along with other members of the Phonak team and the readings were high ... another taken on 8 June 2004...
As a result of these test results, UCI held several meetings with [TH] and representatives from the Phonak teams. During the presentations at these meetings, Dr Zorzoli of the UCI warned that a test of red blood cell antigens was in the process of being validated as anti-doping test to detect an homologous blood transfusion. On 10 June 2004, UCI sent a warning letter to [TH] in which he was advised that 'the blood checks that took place during the Tour de Romandie 2004 ... showed an abnormal profile" and that the blood values showed "strong signs of possible manipulation." The letter warned [TH] that he would be "closedly monitored" in 2004....
At a meeting on 14 June 2004, Dr Zorzoli presented to [TH] and the team manager the results [of the flow cytometry tests] which were said to show mixed populations and again said that they would be watching [TH]. At this stage a final decision on the adoption and implementation of the HBT test had not been made by UCI, WADA or the IOC."
TH was pretty stupid. If he was doping, he should have stopped. If he was not doping, he should have sought to clear up the testing results he was being reported and warned about, before it reached his being "caught".