GOURETTE, France (AP) -- One of its biggest stars is already gone, and now so is the leader of the Tour de France.The Reveler
Michael Rasmussen was removed from the race by his Rabobank team after winning Wednesday's stage, a day after Alexandre Vinokourov and his team withdrew when the star cyclist tested positive for a banned blood transfusion.
"Michael Rasmussen has been sent home for violating (the team's) internal rules," Rabobank spokesman Jacob Bergsma told The Associated Press by phone.
The expulsion, which Bergsma said was ordered by the Dutch team's sponsor, was linked to "incorrect" information that Rasmussen gave to the team's sports director over his whereabouts last month. The Danish cyclist missed random drug tests May 8 and June 28, saying he was in Mexico. But a former rider, Davide Cassani, told Denmark's Danmarks Radio on Wednesday that he had seen Rasmussen in Italy in mid-June.
Jul 26, 2007
'Tour de Farce?'
Speaking of France, just when you're leading the Tour De France race and doping questions arise? What a bummer.Read on...
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2 comments:
Think of it this way: what possible difference can it make?
Performance enhancement is what 'training' is all about. If atheletes are not allowed to 'enhance' their performance then I, sloppy and out of shape I, could win the Tour de France.
It is just a matter of where an ARBITRARY line is drawn. I say let 'em all be high on speed balls (heroine and cocaine mixed) while racing!! Then we would see some real action.
:) I agree... I don't watch biking at all, or many other sports for that matter... but if I knew that the athletes were doping or using whatever drug concoction that works for them... I'd watch.]
"And in the second spot is Jacque Goodreau, on the circuit for two years now, Goodreau comes to this race today with an excrutiating four hour a day training regime and a concoction of meth, anabolic steroids and direct veinal injections of caffeine. He should do well today Marv. I agree Steve, if his heart can hold up, he'll definitely be a contender for the top spot."
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