Professional Cycling For the Fans - Rasmussen thinks he's black listed

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rasmussen-denied-contract-on-uci-advice

Interesting that some riders (ahem, BASSO) are welcomed back more readily than others, although it looks like there's an investigation going on.

It is interesting, but Michael seems to have made very many enemies, and very few friends in the peloton. Remember how Menchov abandoned the Tour a stage or two after Rasmussen got canned. He was disgusted that he had sacrificed his shot at the title to ride in support Rasmussen - which I suspect he very much disliked doing from the beginning.

Here's a challenge for folks - find a quote from a rider in the peloton who has something good to say about him.

Yeah, I don't like the guy. Comes off as a prick. I remember a quote from him about Menchov "not being able to get his ass over the mountains." Real classy. :rolleyes:

Yeah, I don't like the guy. Comes off as a prick. I remember a quote from him about Menchov "not being able to get his ass over the mountains." Real classy. :rolleyes:

Yeah, he was off the back on every bump in the road in the Giro this year...

Well what's weird is that team was able to sign Riccardo Ricco who actually tested positive for doping in the TDF and admitted to doping, but they weren't allowed to sign Rasmussen, who lied about his whereabouts, but never tested positive during the TDF. Very strange indeed. It's too bad because Rasmussen is the only real other viable competition for Schleck or Contador in the mountains.

Sounds political. The Big Wigs in the rabobank camp probably don't want to see Rasmussen in the tour. This is the problem with the TDF, as they basically can manipulate and even tailor the competition so they can get the desired outcome.

I think the difference between Rico and Rasmussen is that The Chicken is currently under investigation for his involvement with the Austrian doping investigation surrounding Kohl. Rico isn't being investigated
for anything at the moment. And I don't get the feeling that Ceramica was "prohibited" from signing him,
but warned that the investigation was ongoing.

I think the difference between Rico and Rasmussen is that The Chicken is currently under investigation for his involvement with the Austrian doping investigation surrounding Kohl. Rico isn't being investigated
for anything at the moment. And I don't get the feeling that Ceramica was "prohibited" from signing him,
but warned that the investigation was ongoing.

+1, I'd wouldn't want to sign him if I knew he was being looked at again.

Edit: meant to say wouldn't want to sign him.

You would rather hire someone who is known to have doped, and tested positive for doping, than someone under investigation? Let's not forget it wasn't too long ago that AC was under investigation.

You would rather hire someone who is known to have doped, and tested positive for doping, than someone under investigation? Let's not forget it wasn't too long ago that AC was under investigation.

I think Rassy is a jerk, after what he pulled with his friend, having him ship doping products to him under the guise that is was cycling shoes.

You would rather hire someone who is known to have doped, and tested positive for doping, than someone under investigation? Let's not forget it wasn't too long ago that AC was under investigation.
If the investigation is concluded, there isn't much chance you're going to lose the rider.

Don't forget that Ras could get arrested for his alleged role in paying for the centrifuge. I guess someone on the team doesn't think that "any publicity is good publicity." ;)

If the investigation is concluded, there isn't much chance you're going to lose the rider.

Don't forget that Ras could get arrested for his alleged role in paying for the centrifuge. I guess someone on the team doesn't think that "any publicity is good publicity." ;)

I don't think having a guy on your team that doped, and tested positive like Ricco did is good publicity either...

What, nobody is calling him "MR" yet?