Suggestions that he will get reduced two year ban due to cooperation
After years of denials, former Tour de France King of the Mountains Michael Rasmussen has called a press conference for today where he is expected to announce the use of banned products for much of his career. According to DR Sport, the Dane will be given a two year ban, considerably less than what he would otherwise be liable for.
As he already served a two year suspension in connection to his whereabouts violations and missed tests in 2007, he could be eligible for a sanction of eight years.
However DR Sport reports that he had given detailed evidence which is useful to the fight against doping, and also provided the names of other riders who also used banned substances.
Rasmussen looked almost certain to win the 2007 Tour de France, holding a substantial advantage over Alberto Contador as the race exited the mountains. However he was ejected from the race on July 25th by his then-Rabobank team, which succumbed to pressure over his pre-race whereabouts issues.
He had claimed to be in Mexico but was secretly training in Italy, thus not being available for out of competition testing.
Rasmussen eventually returned to the sport in 2009 and competed for the small Tecos Guadalajara team prior to moving to Miche in 2010. He has been with Christina Watches Onfone since 2011, but never reached the same heights again as his 2007 form.
He is currently involved in a court case with Rabobank over his ejection from the 2007 Tour. He claims the team was fully aware of his whereabouts before the race and didn’t have the authority to force him to leave while wearing the yellow jersey.
He is seeking compensation of 5.8 million euro, his estimate of what he lost as a result of the team’s action.
The 38 year old’s press conference will be held in Herning at 2 pm local time, with the Danish cycling federation also holding a conference today.
More details will follow later on this.