Michael Rasmussen welcome at the Tour, if he finds a team
The International Cycling Union (UCI) and the Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO), organisers of the Tour de France, have confirmed that they would in no way prevent formerly-suspended
cyclist Michael Rasmussen from competing in the Tour, ending any rumours that the Danish rider has been blacklisted. However, Brian Holm, Danish sports director for team HTC, has explained that other factors are likely to keep Rasmussen out of the race, namely,
the riders inability to secure a contract.
“Neither the UCI or Tour de France organizers have ever had a desire to blacklist Michael, and while it has been so hard for him to come back, you must also remember that he is
not nearly as big a name internationally as here at home,” said Holm to politiken.dk.
Rasmussen very nearly won the 2007 Tour de France. He was the king-of-the-mountain and the overall leader of the race through 17 of 20 stages, with a significant gap separating
him from his challengers, when his team Rabobank removed him from the race for lying about his whereabouts. He was eventually served a two-year ban for intentionally missing doping tests, while Alberto Contador went on to take his first of three victories
at the Tour that year.
“I would not rule out that Michael Rasmussen could do well in the Tour de France, but I have trouble seeing him as, for example, King of the Mountains again,” said Holm of Rasmussen’s chances for success
in the Tour. “He is 36 years old after all, and that is an age when most riders are thinking about stopping. It could also prove a handicap that he has been away so long.”
The Dane returned to competition in 2009 with a small Mexican team and almost immediately began collecting victories. In 2010 he rode in Europe for continental team Miche Pro Cycling
Team and has most recently been rumoured to be discussing a deal with Bjarne Riis of team Saxo Bank, the same team to which Contador may be headed in 2011. Riis has said neither yes nor no when asked about the rumour, but Holm considers it doubtful.
“In my view, on the big teams there is a general trend towards an emphasis on youth, rather than on riders of Michael's age,” said Holm. “That was the reason I got when I brought up Michael with our American
boss Bob Stapleton, and without knowing it, I could imagine that it is also true for Bjarne.”
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