According to a press release of the Danish rider, Michael Rasmussen decided to step forward and describe the circumstances that led Rabobank to exclude him from this years Tour de France. Rasmussen has not stepped forward until now in respect of Rabobank’s investigation. According to Rasmussen he had been promised an opportunity to examine the report of the Rabobank investigation before it was made public.

According to his press release Rasmussen learned through the media that the report will be presented during a press conference in the Netherlands this coming Monday. Rasmussen claims he has not been informed personally about this. And he has not yet seen the report. For that reason Rasmussen now finds it necessary to step forward and account for the affair.

"First of all I would like to clearly state that I was not in Mexico in June. I have therefore misinformed both the UCI and the public. It is however important for me to stress that at no point did I lie to the team Rabobank," says Michael Rasmussen.

"I would like to apologize to both the public and the UCI for giving out false information. I did this for personal and marital reasons alone and in consideration of my family I will not elaborate further on this matter. I ask the press to kindly respect this – today and in future," Rasmussen said.

Did not lie to Rabobank

According to Rasmussen he has informed Rabobank’s commission of investigation of the details of this matter and will likewise inform the UCI in an already scheduled meeting. 

Rasmussen emphasises that he never misinformed Rabobank. According to Rasmussen it is therefore completely untrue when during Tour de France the team stated that they excluded him from the race because he had lied about his stay in Mexico.

The Danish rider insists team Rabobank has known the truth all along – they knew that he was not in Mexico. For one, they knew this because Rasmussen had a meeting with Rabobank’s Chief Sports Director, Erik Breukink in Italy on June 7 where they discussed the preparations for Tour de France and the Tour in general.

Rasmussen said that in the period of June 4 – 19 he stayed in Italy where on June 13 he did meet the journalist from RAI, Davide Cassani. According to a press release Rasmussen then went for practice in the Alps from June 20 - 23. And on June 25, in accordance with Rabobank plans, he went from Verona to the Pyrenees on tickets ordered by Rabobank. Here Michael Rasmussen practiced mountain stages and the Albi time trial. In the Pyrenees, Dennis Menchow participated in some of the practice and a Rabobank soigneur was present at all times.   

"It is therefore completely absurd that Rabobank took me out of Tour de France claiming that I had misled them. You cannot mislead people who have known the truth all along," says Michael Rasmussen.  

Michael Rasmussen says he has provided Rabobank’s commission of investigation with all information about his whereabouts. And he added that he will give the exact same information to the UCI – together with documentation, which proves that he actually stayed in these places.

The press release concludes with the biological passport of Rasmussen: "In order to steer clear of speculations concerning what went on in Italy and whether he has complied with the doping regulations Michael Rasmussen presents his so called ‘biological passport’ in terms of tests from the previous 3 years. All the values show normal variations which should give absolutely no cause for suspicion about manipulation. These values are of course known by the UCI."

"In this connection I would like to stress that I have violated the whereabouts regulations but I have never missed a doping control performed by the UCI. From this point on I will obey all UCI rules and I am still available for control. Thus, I can also tell you that after the Tour de France I have had two further out of competition tests from the UCI with no remarks," says Michael Rasmussen.   

"My greatest wish right now is to ensure clarity about this matter and be able to return to professional cycling," Michael Rasmussen says.