Michael Rasmussen admits to 12 years of doping

[steve]

The 38-year-old Rasmussen said in a televised news conference that he took performance-enhancing drugs between 1998 and 2010, both before and after he served a suspension for evading doping controls. "I have cheated and lied. I'm ready to make good and take my punishment. I'm glad that I no longer have to lie to you, as I have done for so long," said Rasmussen, adding that he was quitting cycling immediately. In a deal with Danish, American and Dutch anti-doping authorities as well as world anti-doping agency WADA, Rasmussen agreed to confess everything about his experiences with doping, including naming other guilty riders. His agreement with the authorities prohibited him from disclosing further details at the moment, he said. Rasmussen admitted to using EPO, insulin, growth hormones, cortisone and other drugs as well as getting blood transfusions. Danish anti-doping authorities confirmed in a statement that Rasmussen had offered "substantial assistance" and met preconditions for a reduced sanction, meaning they would request a two-year ban instead of eight years. In 2007, Rasmussen was kicked off the Tour de France by his team while leading the overall standings for lying about his whereabouts - information required under anti-doping regulations. He served a two-year suspension between 2007 and 2009. His revelations came after American Lance Armstrong this month admitted he took performance-enhancing drugs during all his seven Tour de France victories, saying he was part of a doping culture in the sport.

Born: June 1, 1974 (age 38)
Weight: 59 kg
Height: 1.74 m


Amateur team(s) –1992
1993–1994
2001 Holbæk Cykle Ring
Wheeler (MTB)
CSC-Tiscali (stagiaire) Professional team(s) 1995–1996
1997–1998
1999
2000–2001
2001
2002
2003–2007
2009
2010
2011–2013 Scott International (MTB)
Trek-Volkswagen (MTB)
Gary Fisher (MTB)
Haro-Lee (MTB)
Dungarees (MTB)
CSC-Tiscali
Rabobank
Tecos Guadalajara
Miche
Christina Watches-Onfone Major wins Grand Tours
Tour de France Mountains Classification (2005, 2006) 4 individual stages Vuelta a España 1 individual stage Single-Day Races and Classics
World Mountain Bike XC Champion (1999) Giro dell'Emilia (2002)

 

[limerickman]

This is a welcome admission by Rasmussen.

It is also an interesting admission too.
Rasmussen rode for Rabobank from 2003-2007 so presumably his confession includes his tenure at that team.

 

[slovakguy]

certainly has my interest. wondering what names will be revealed that he had to keep silent about at this press conference. feeling that several of the old rabobank guard are sleeping less soundly tonight.

 

[limerickman]

Originally Posted by slovakguy .

certainly has my interest. wondering what names will be revealed that he had to keep silent about at this press conference. feeling that several of the old rabobank guard are sleeping less soundly tonight.

True.

I would think that a lot of the 2003-2007 Rabobank team are not sleeping soundly tonight.

Whatever bit of my heart that remains a fan of the sport would be gutted if Freira gets implicated in this.

 

[slovakguy]

i have a soft spot in my heart for rabo. always admired their commitment to cycling from children through espoir to the elite levels, but especially that attention to the amateurs. rasmussen's sacking, the stench surrounding menchov and his giro victory (and connections to doping doctors), and the whole leinders/german blood bank shite made me think the corporation did right in vacating their sponsorship of the pro team. i would like to see a new rabo, but don't hold out much hope that any of them were driven snow pure. hoping that o. f. isn't caught up in this, but just can't bring myself to giving any of them the benefit of the doubt anymore. afraid i've become like kimmage in that respect.

 

[limerickman]

Originally Posted by slovakguy .

i have a soft spot in my heart for rabo. always admired their commitment to cycling from children through espoir to the elite levels, but especially that attention to the amateurs. rasmussen's sacking, the stench surrounding menchov and his giro victory (and connections to doping doctors), and the whole leinders/german blood bank shite made me think the corporation did right in vacating their sponsorship of the pro team. i would like to see a new rabo, but don't hold out much hope that any of them were driven snow pure. hoping that o. f. isn't caught up in this, but just can't bring myself to giving any of them the benefit of the doubt anymore. afraid i've become like kimmage in that respect.

In a different life, I did some work for Rabobank many years ago.
Part of this work involved having to fly to Holland to attend project meetings in Utrecht every two months.
No offence to any Dutch members here, but these Rabobank people would make a Swiss banker seem reckless.
Dry doesn't describe these people.

After the doping scandal broke with their cycling team, I wasn't in the least bit surprised that the bankers skidaddled as fast as they could.

I agree with your views about Rabo's involvement at levels other than at the elite level.

 

[vspa]

so MTB riders do dope too... interesting

 

[alienator]

so MTB riders do dope too... interesting

I don't find it surprising at all.

 

[jpwkeeper]

Slightly off topic, but the picture on the main page for this thread is freaking hilarious, and looks shockingly like Ras himself, which is obviously how he got the nickname.

 

[steve]

Originally Posted by jpwkeeper .

Slightly off topic, but the picture on the main page for this thread is freaking hilarious, and looks shockingly like Ras himself, which is obviously how he got the nickname.

/img/vbsmilies/smilies/biggrin.gif

 

[limerickman]

God those pictures are dreadful.

Rasmussen looks like someone that's been held in a concentration camp.

 

[danfoz]

Originally Posted by limerickman .

God those pictures are dreadful.

Rasmussen looks like someone that's been held in a concentration camp.

Brings new dimension to the term "power-to-weight-ratio".

Curious, does anyone know who coined the nickname or is that particular to our forum?

 

[vspa]

no, he was known as the chicken, not only in the forum

 

[alienator]

Brings new dimension to the term "power-to-weight-ratio". Curious, does anyone know who coined the nickname or is that particular to our forum?

I'd wager it was his father-in-law that came up with that.

 

[vspa]

well here is a good case study for medical dermatologist students, how a "white skin" man type can perfectly handle all that sun,

 

[jpwkeeper]

Originally Posted by vspa .

well here is a good case study for medical dermatologist students, how a "white skin" man type can perfectly handle all that sun,

I don't know. Judging by that white skin and all those moles, coupled with that physique, I think he died of skin cancer 10 years ago and didn't notice.

 

[dhk2]

Well, he's definately the poster boy for "white guy"......and also for "farmer's tan". Maybe he could start a charity whose mission is to promote the use of sunscreen in the pro peloton......and the zipping up of jerseys for the finish line photos.