I read this article here:

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/07/15/sports/EU-CYC-Rasmussen.php

Basically states that the TDF's ban on Michael Rasmussen was for two years, and that he'll probably be coming back next year. And since I'm pretty sure Astana will get the invite next year as well, it looks to be that there might be a possibility of a Rasmussen / Contador rematch. Rasmussen would of course won the 2007 race if not for the boot...so it will be interesting to see this battle next year.

Article does state that Rasmussen was awarded over $600k for Rabobank's wrongful dismissal. Be interesting to see what will happen next year, and if Rasmussen and Contador will indeed be in the race.

Any team that signs Rasmussen will not be invited to the Tour.

Any team that signs Rasmussen will not be invited to the Tour.

Perhaps your right. I thought the TDF wanted Rasmussen to stay in the race actually, and that it was more of Rabobank's doing that caused him to leave; but perhaps it was pressure from the TDF after all.

rasmussen never tested positive

rasmussen never tested positive

Neither did David Millar.

...and his team had a top 5 finish in the tdf this year, not bad.

Neither did David Millar.
....or Bjarne Riis, Eric Zabel, Ivan Basso (although he claims he never used the blood he stashed away..Okay Ivan, I believe you ;)), Jan Ullrich, the list goes on.....

Be interesting to see what will happen next year, and if Rasmussen and Contador will indeed be in the race.

Have to think Contador has only improved relative to the Chicken. Not mention the fact that there won't be any confusion in Astana as to who they're riding for.

Any team that signs Rasmussen will not be invited to the Tour.

This is probably true. Even though he did not test positive he will be treated as a rider who did. I don't think that any high level team will sign him for fear of negative publicity. Or for fear of not being invited to the TDF.

I enjoyed watching all the tours with the dopers over the years then the 2008 Tour. Sad but true. I'd rather watch Mario doped to the gills then the crap that was the tour this year. Let em all dope and let us watch them go at it.

PS: Doping is bad!

My money's on Rock trying to sign him.

I don't think that even Rock would be that stupid. Besides, take away Rasmussen's juice, and he's just another pretty good climber.

basso will own conty

Rasmussen can go for a polka dot. But not GC. Next year's podium might look like this:

1) Contador
2) Evans
3) Someone from CSC/Saxo Bank

Or flip 2 and 3.

Rasmussen will never again put in such an awesome performance. He may not have tested positive, but his climbing looked so much like Pantani or Ricco. I suspect he's doped, and he won't be able to get away with it again...

Evans better have a stonger team or learn to attack if he want to make the podium.

he was basically running all by himself against CSC, how do you want him to attack???

:P