Dumb TdF/Rasmussen Question

[Triskeliongirl]

I read that the rule is that if you miss 3 random tests in an 18 month period, which he did, that can be taken as a positive drug test. That was the reason he was kicked off his national squad. Its not about rabobank holding him to a 'higher standard' its about him meeting the standard expected of all athletes. Add to that, it was not as simple as him not being home, i.e. being where he said he was but not locatable, but being in a different country from where he said he was, and I have very little sympathy for him. Its sport, sport has rules, and he broke the rules. It would be nice though, if the UCI would uniformally enforce these rules. It seems if it had been reported by the UCI to the tour officials in a timely manner, he (and anyone else in his position) should have simply not started.

[margo49]

I seems if it had been reported by the UCI to the tour officials in a timely manner, he (and anyone else in his position) should have simply not started.

There is a lot of bad feeling between the UCI and ASO (who run the TdF and other Big Races). Hence bad communication.

[Grog]

That was the reason he was kicked off his national squad. Its not about rabobank holding him to a 'higher standard' its about him meeting the standard expected of all athletes.

These are two different things. He was kicked out of his national team and then by Rabobank, but they wouldn't have had to. You don't have to be on a national team to be in the TdF (although they are considering opening up spots for national teams on next year's tour).

[Eden]

Michael claims he hasn't been part of the Danish national team since 2004 and was a bit confused as to why they bothered to kick him off a a team he wasn't on... (he also said he didn't think the Danish Sporting Association had any jurisdiction over him since he isn't licensed or residing there)
Someone over at cycling forums posted a translation of a recent interview. Rasmussen's pretty evasive about the whole Mexico/Italy thing, just saying he can't talk about it because of the legal case, but he talks about the missed tests - says he wasn't subject to the Danish ones and that the UCI ones were an oversight and that he feels singled out since 5 of his other teammates had some of the same paperwork issues too and they only recieved a friendly verbal reminder.

[Geonz]

http://www.slate.com/id/2171291/nav/tap3/ has a pretty plausible explanation for how cycling culture could rather lend itself to doping.

[amymisk]

Just to clarify one point, you do need a passport to travel to Mexico or Canada from the US. This was started in January this year.

I have no sympathy for Rassmussen. He lied about his location for training. Why lie if you are training clean?