Leafer said:
But if I'm reading this right, Damsgaard has had a look at Franck's blood values from that period, ie when he made the transfer to Fuentes, and says that there's nothing to indicate that Franck was doping.
http://www.riis-cycling.com/ny_news.asp?n_id=2147
On the other hand, I don't believe for a second that Franck just decided one day to donate 7000 euros to Fuentes.
One possibility that would solve both those problems: maybe the 7000 was a backpayment for previous "services", ie he wasn't doping when he made the payment, but was just paying off what was still owed to Fuentes for doping products that he previously used. That would explain why Franck was paying Fuentes but why Damsgaard didn't find any changes in his blood parameters.
Interesting comments, and I respect all you're saying, but mind you
1) the comments about Damsgaard come directly from Schleck's mouth/Riis press release. I haven't seen any official comments directly by Damsgaard (help anyone?). Of course Schleck can say UCI and Damsgaard didn't find anything illegal, otherwise he would have been suspended already. But then again, his blood values from March 2006 are not trustworthy, as Damsgaard only started working with CSC AFTER summer 2006 ! It's already complicated for French labs to detect EPO with all blood samples taken before and during TDF, so what's the value of 6 to 12 months old blood values GIVEN by a rider to Damsgaard??
2) I do not believe in a back payment to Fuentes. I rather believe it was a first payment prior to full blood doping program. Remember Jaksche explaining, that in 2006 the cost for full year program with Fuentes would cost 30,000 euros, with a first payment done in February of 10,000 euros.
So, and this is just a theory, Schleck has met Fuentes (or spoken to him) in early 2006. Fuentes describes the program, Schleck flies to Gran Canaria to have blood taken and frozen (after Paris-Nice). He transfers 7,000 euros, but never used the blood (it was clearly meant for Tour de France, so no need to use it before then). In this case, blood bag 25 might be his. Timing wise it fits, as Schleck's tactics back then were the Belgian classics, one month break, then Tour de Suisse and Tour de France. Probably second outtake of blood would have come after Tour de Suisse (he came 6th). But by then, the Fuentes scandal was out there, and he never made a move since. It all stayed at the 7,000 euros, no revealed doping.
Again, only a theory. And to me, the way Frank rode this year, I think if he doped it wasn't Cera. Had it been Cera, he would have been up there with Cobo and Piepoli when both Saunier stole the victory. In reality he struggled to catch 3rd place and beat Evans to yellow jersey.