Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen has admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs from 1998 to 2010 in the latest doping scandal to hit the sport since Lance Armstrong’s confession this month.
Rasmussen says he took testosterone and growth hormones and had blood transfusions in an effort to boost his performance.
He says he will quit the sport immediately and cooperate with anti-doping agencies.
Rasmussen led the 2007 Tour de France until he was kicked off for lying about his whereabouts when he missed pre-race doping tests. He later admitted that he had lied and was banned from cycling for two years.
Rasmussen most recently rode for the Christina Watches-Onofone squad, a team that was basically formed to give Rasmussen a place to continue his career after he returned from his ban in 2009. The team has ambitions of moving into the ProTour ranks by 2016.
Rasmussen’s admission really doesn’t come as a surprise. No one willfully evades doping tests just because they don’t like to pee in a cup or get a little blood drawn. Still, it’s good to see him come forward and come clean and cooperate with Danish anti-doping authorities.
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.
