The
International Cycling Union (UCI) issued a press release today in which the world body announced that it asked the Monaco
Cycling Federation to open disciplinary proceedings against Michael Rasmussen. The UCI said: "Today the International Cycling
Union (UCI) has asked the Monaco Cycling Federation, with whom Michael Rasmussen held a racing licence, to open disciplinary
proceedings under the UCI Anti Doping Rules."
The UCI staement continues by
saying: "Michael Rasmussen has publicly acknowledged what the UCI believes to be violations of its whereabouts requirements
under Rule 15.4 in the period leading up to the Tour de France 2007.
"After an extensive and careful investigation of the circumstances the UCI also believes that Michael Rasmussen violated
Rules 15.3 and 15.5 by evading controls in a premeditated manner and preventing controls being undertaken.
"As part of the disciplinary proceedings Mr Rasmussen will be able to respond to the UCI’s case as submitted to the
Monaco Cycling Federation."
If the UCI and the Monaco Cycling Federation can proof their accusations against Rasmussen, the Danish rider faces a two
year ban.
Last November the Vogelzang committee already said that the UCI should have banned
Rasmussen before the 2007 edition of the Tour de France. It is unclear why the world body didn't act at that time.
Last week Dutch TV aired a documentary film about the case, in the film several sources stated that sponsor Rabobank, the UCI and the team knew that Rasmussen lied about his whereabouts
in June 2007.
