2010 begins in a matter of days, yet there is still no firm news about where Michael Rasmussen will be competing. The Danish rider had been linked to the Murcia AMPO team but that looks certain to collapse due to financial difficulties. AMPO has moved to backing the Footon-Servetto-Fuji squad instead.
Danish Cycling Union coach and sports manager Lars Bonde shows little sympathy for Rasmussen, however. “He must realise that as in other social contexts, there is always baggage,” he told Berlingske Tidende. “When you are looking for new jobs, they assess whether they will give the person a second chance. It is in no way different from the general business community, in a world where people know things about each other and are looking for recommendations.
“Teams are entitled to say no because of an overall assessment. It is not particularly unfair to Michael Rasmussen…it is the same with everything. He has been free to race since August but, amongst nearly 300 teams in Europe, he has been unable to find a new team yet. One must ask Michael Rasmussen why he cannot. There are indeed a great many others who have violated the rules, and yet they have been able to find a new team.”
The double Tour de France KOM winner was ejected from the 2007 edition while leading overall. He had lied about his whereabouts in the leadup to the race, and was ultimately banned for two years. Bonde’s harsh comments should be taken in the context that Rasmussen has a very bad relationship with the DCU; “Rasmussen called Tom Lund and Jesper Worre ‘corrupt fools,’ so it is hard to return,” he said.
Rasmussen has been rumoured to be riding for Team Miche in the upcoming Vuelta a San Luis, but there has been no confirmation if he will do any other races with it in 2010.