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Leader Rasmussen Kicked Off the Tour
BBC News ^ | 7/25/7

Posted on 07/25/2007 2:54:25 PM PDT by hardback

Leader Rasmussen kicked off Tour

Rasmussen has held the yellow jersey for 10 days Race leader Michael Rasmussen has been kicked out of the Tour de France and sacked by his Rabobank team. The 33-year-old Dane has been at the centre of controversy during the Tour since it was revealed he missed out-of-competition drugs tests.

But Rabobank have learnt he lied to them about his whereabouts in June.

Rasmussen looked odds-on to win the Tour on Sunday after taking Wednesday's stage, which increased his lead over second-placed rider Alberto Contador.

News conference: Michael Rasmussen

But young Spaniard Contador will now assume the race lead with four stages remaining.

And the Discovery Channel rider will go into Thursday's flat stage from Pau to Castelsarrasin with a one minute 57 second lead over Australian Cadel Evans.

Rasmussen has been sent home for violating the team's internal rules

Jacob Bergsma Rabobank spokesman

Rasmussen's sacking follows the high-profile positive drugs test on pre-race favourite Alexandre Vinokourov in a dramatic 24 hours for the race.

Vinokourov's Astana team withdrew from the race in protest, and Cofidis have also pulled out following the positive test on their rider Cristian Moreni.

Rasmussen has admitted making a mistake in missing out-of-competition drugs tests but insists he backs moves to make cycling drug-free.

"I'm sorry the situation is coming out now, when I'm wearing the yellow jersey, and it's harming the sport that I dearly love," he said before his 16th stage win.

"I want to make absolutely clear I've had out-of-competition tests prior to the Tour de France, 14 tests during the Tour and all the results are negative.

"I do support my team in the fight against doping and [for] a clean sport."

606: DEBATE There's no easy answer to this - how can a sport so huge, so popular, cleanse itself?

TheInvigilator

However, Rabobank have since discovered that Rasmussen lied to them over where and what he was up to during the month of June when he was in fact in Italy and not in Mexico as he had told them.

"Michael Rasmussen has been sent home for violating the team's internal rules," said Rabobank spokesman Jacob Bergsma.

Wednesday's victory on the Col d'Aubisque was Rasmussen's second of the Tour and tightened his grip on the yellow jersey.


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: sayitaintsolance; tourdefrance
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1 posted on 07/25/2007 2:54:26 PM PDT by hardback
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To: hardback

Amusing name association aside, it’s rather sad to see where this sport is going post-Armstrong.


2 posted on 07/25/2007 2:59:36 PM PDT by The Pack Knight (Duty, Honor, Country. Right-Wing Conspirator and Friend of Fred)
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To: hardback

This is breaking news?


3 posted on 07/25/2007 2:59:48 PM PDT by mmanager (Fred instead of Purebred, Crossbred and the Hothead)
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To: hardback

This is hügh!


4 posted on 07/25/2007 3:00:22 PM PDT by 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten
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To: hardback

It’s hardly worth following any more, all the top names are gone. Jan Ulrich, Lance Armstrong, Michael Rasmussen, Tyer Hamilton, Vino...I almost wouldn’t be surprised if they called off the whole thing.


5 posted on 07/25/2007 3:01:07 PM PDT by charming_harmonica (Is 20 pound for the weight like 30 pounds if a guy lifts?)
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To: 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten
Say it ain't so grand poulet!


6 posted on 07/25/2007 3:02:09 PM PDT by hardback (l)
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To: charming_harmonica
Shocking that a man looking like this would be taking drugs!


7 posted on 07/25/2007 3:03:28 PM PDT by hardback (l)
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To: hardback

Perhaps 100 years ago Polka Dots were big?


8 posted on 07/25/2007 3:04:49 PM PDT by Voltage
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To: hardback

I haven’t followed as closely this year, but will Disco support Levi or that Contador fellow?

Both are positioned well to take the yellow.


9 posted on 07/25/2007 3:06:15 PM PDT by steveyp
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To: hardback

I miss Merckx and Hinault.


10 posted on 07/25/2007 3:07:00 PM PDT by Tijeras_Slim
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To: steveyp
It's all on the line in Saturday's time trial now...

New standings 1. Alberto Contador (Sp), Discovery 2. Cadel Evans (Aus), Predictor-Lotto, 1:57 3. Levi Leipheimer (USA), Discovery, at 2:48 4. Carlos Sastre (Sp). CSC, at 6:02

11 posted on 07/25/2007 3:07:08 PM PDT by hardback (l)
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To: hardback

Did you notice that over the years he seemed to have grown some real polka dots on his chest there?


12 posted on 07/25/2007 3:08:18 PM PDT by leilani (!)
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To: Voltage

It takes one tough mo-fo to earn the polka dot jersey - it’s worn by the ‘king of the mountains’ point leader.

Difficult work, that.


13 posted on 07/25/2007 3:08:38 PM PDT by Leo Farnsworth
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To: hardback

Hard core bicyclists often end up getting a “T-Rex” look: massive legs with shrinking chests and tiny vestigal arms....


14 posted on 07/25/2007 3:08:57 PM PDT by Yossarian (Everyday, somewhere on the globe, somebody is pushing the frontier of stupidity...)
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To: leilani

Did I ever tell you that you are awesome!


15 posted on 07/25/2007 3:16:47 PM PDT by hardback (l)
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To: Yossarian

Hard core bicyclists often end up getting a “T-Rex” look: massive legs with shrinking chests and tiny vestigal arms....


Interesting image - good post!


16 posted on 07/25/2007 3:22:32 PM PDT by 2 Kool 2 Be 4-Gotten
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To: hardback
Why, no. Didn't we just meet? When would you have had time? ;-)

I have the sneaking suspicion I know you from somewhere, but I can't put my finger on it quite yet......

17 posted on 07/25/2007 3:31:29 PM PDT by leilani (!)
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To: steveyp
"I haven’t followed as closely this year, but will Disco support Levi or that Contador fellow?"

Since there are no more mountain stages, I expect the team will just play it safe and let both riders take their best shot against each other and against Evans in the final time trial. I'd be (pleasantly) surprised if Disco launched any kind of a serious attack in the remaining flat stages.

But if any rider is within a minute of the leader going into Sunday, we might actually have a race into Paris rather than the usual promenade.
18 posted on 07/25/2007 3:33:50 PM PDT by Steve_Seattle ("Above all, shake your bum at Burton.")
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To: hardback

Oh, no. First Vino, now this. I feel sorry for whoever does win this year (young Contador, perhaps?) since there will always be that suspicion that they would not have been able to win if the “real” leaders had stayed in the race. A mess all around.


19 posted on 07/25/2007 3:42:03 PM PDT by Hetty_Fauxvert (Kelo must GO!! ..... http://sonoma-moderate.blogspot.com/)
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To: Leo Farnsworth
Difficult is right! I bike about 1500 miles a year locally just to keep in shape and take off some weight. I can't even imagine where these guys get the energy to climb like they do...youth I guess.

Too bad there are so many 'drug' issues!

20 posted on 07/25/2007 3:42:16 PM PDT by Voltage
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