Cyclingpost.com - Rasmussen admits having been in Italy in June

Rasmussen admits having been in Italy in June

By Kathrin Bomans
Thu, 8 Nov 2007 22:44:42

HELLERUP, Nov 8 (CP) - In a press conference helt in Hellerup, Danmark, the ex-Rabobank rider Michael Rasmussen gave his version of the events that led to his exclusion of this year's Tour de France.

The 33-year old rider admitted that he had lied about his whereabouts in June, but at the same time he claimed that his team had always known where he had been.

"First of all I would like to clearly state that I was not in Mexico in June. I have therefore misinformed both the UCI and the public. It is however important for me to stress that at no point did I lie to the team Rabobank," Rasmussen said.

The Dane apologized for his conduct and offered an explanation to some extent. "I would like to apologize to both the public and the UCI for giving out false information. I did this for personal and marital reasons alone and in consideration of my family I will not elaborate further on this matter," he said.

He then went on to detail his June schedule and how Rabobank had always had the proper information, citing a meeting with Rabobank’s Chief Sporting Director, Erik Breunink in Italy on June 7 and training rides with Denis Menchov in the Pyrenees, where a Rabobank soigneur was present at all times.

"It is therefore completely absurd that Rabobank took me out of Tour de France claiming that I had misled them. You cannot mislead people who have known the truth all along," Rasmussen stressed.

In an attempt to clear his tarnished reputation, Rasmussen supplied test results from the last three years, which listed his hematocrit and hemoglobin readings.

He also added that "in this connection I would like to stress that I have violated the whereabouts regulations but I have never missed a doping control performed by the UCI. From this point on I will obey all UCI rules and I am still available for control."

Rasmussen clearly expressed his hopes to clear the affair to be able to continue his career. "My greatest wish right now is to ensure clarity about this matter and be able to return to professional cycling," he said.

On November 12, his former team will present its version of the events. Team Rabobank will hold a press conference then, in which the results of an internal investigation will be made public.