I'm not convinced that Lance used EPO much past 2001. Around that time period the testing became better, and there was too much to risk. I believe he found a better system by using autologous blood transfusions before key stages. That way he could keep his red blood count high when it was needed without flagging any of the doping tests of the time.
Also, before out of competition tests were the norm, it made sense to take doping products so you could train/recover at a higher level, then taper off before the races to avoid detection.
Also, before out of competition tests were the norm, it made sense to take doping products so you could train/recover at a higher level, then taper off before the races to avoid detection.