The Chicken gets plucked!

[margo49]

The Danish Cycling Federation knew, the UCI knew but the *team* dint.
They did ask questions and got answers that satisfied them until it became clearly a lie. They confronted him and he either admitted it or at least dint deny it.
I think this a perfectly reasonable chain of events given the countries involved.

I tell you who I feel sorriest for is the rest of the team and the behind-the-scenes mechanics, physiotherapists,etc who worked so hard for Rasmussen.

[amymisk]

I have to admit I have been saddened by this tour. I won't stop watching though, especially since I have been rooting for Contador and Levi. Mind you, Contador is not without his share of controversy.

I do find watching Soler exciting and was happy to see him earn that polka dot jersey.

I read that Rassmussen admitted to lying about his where abouts and that is why he was fired from the team. Ethics violation, funny huh? Now the team and managers are concerned about ethics. After Rabo let Rassmussen train alone for this tour, Chicken insisted on solitary training and they allowed it. Suspicious behaviour in my book. EPO is only detectable for 72 hours after the last dose, but the effects last for 4-5 weeks. So, the missed tests while training with no reported doping results during the tour is completely possible. All he had to do was stop a few days before heading to France!

I am holding out hopes for a clean 2008 tour!