Th current leader of the Tour de France Michael Rasmussen avoided a problem yesterday, however may have been hammered by a 1-2 combo punch today.
Yesterday's news (KC Star) carried the story that Rasmussen missed 2 anti-doping drug tests since May. This lead to a warning that a third miss could lead to a suspension.
The drug tests were missed on May 8 and June 28, at a time when anti-doping officials sought to contact Rasmussen but discovered that he had not informed them of his whereabouts.
A third missed test within 18 months would be considered a failed test under the rules of the International Cycling Union, known by its French initials UCI, and would subject Rasmussen to a two-year ban from competition.
Rasmussen called it “an administrative error” on his part.
“It’s a minor deal,” said Rasmussen, who has been tested as the leader and has not registered positive. “I know that a lot of riders in the peloton receive warnings for not informing or not giving updated information to the UCI (cycling’s governing body).
“I am just one out of many, and I just happen to ride with the yellow jersey right now.
The cyclist said not to worry, he won't test positive anyway.
“I have no positive doping tests, and that’s it. This is blown out of proportion.”
Not so fast our friend. The current Tour leader now stands accused of past blood doping. ABC News with the bad news:
A former amateur mountain bike racer from Boulder, Colo., has accused Tour de France leader Michael Rasmussen of trying to trick him into carrying illicit doping materials into Italy five years ago.
Whitney Richards said Rasmussen asked him to carry a pair of cycling shoes in March 2002 when Richards was moving to Italy. When he opened the box, Richards said he found 14 IV bags filled with human blood substitute, which he poured down the drain.
The 31-year-old Richards told The Associated Press on Friday that he decided to go public with his story after Rasmussen promised cycling fans they could trust him.
When asked, Rasmussen did not remember the incident.
Asked about the allegations at a post-race news conference, Rasmussen said he was familiar with Richards' name but declined further comment.
The story appears to be confirmed by a friend of the American cyclist (text, after the jump).
Considering the incredible tainted history of blood doping/doping in the Tour de France, it might be devastating for the 2007 Tour leader to be implicated in a doping scheme, especially when coming on the heals of missed dope testing. Nothing surprises us in the world of pro cycling any more.
Richards' allegations against Rasmussen come one day after the Dane was kicked off the national cycling team for failing to report his whereabouts for possible unannounced doping tests.
Richards said he and Rasmussen became friends when the Dane came to Colorado to prepare for the 2001 world mountain bike championships in Vail. Rasmussen was back home in Italy when he asked Richards to bring over a pair of cycling shoes he had left behind, Richards said.
Richards, who was moving to Italy to live with his fiance, said he didn't remember how the box was delivered to his home in Boulder.
Richards said he wanted to fit everything into his suitcases so he decided to take the shoes out of the box. That's when he discovered the IV bags labeled "Biopure."
Afraid he might have an illegal product in his possession, he called a friend, Taro Smith, who has a doctorate in physiology. Together they figured out what the product was a hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier known as Hemopure. It's manufactured by U.S.-based Biopure Corp. and is banned under the World Anti-Doping Code.
They then decided to dump the blood substitute down the drain, Richards said.
"I got some scissors and said, 'I'm getting rid of this stuff. I'm not carrying this across customs for nobody,'" he said.
Richards said he didn't notify law enforcement or cycling authorities because he was leaving for Italy the next day.
Smith confirmed Richards' recollection of the incident in an interview with The AP on Friday night.
"What I can confirm is what was in the box," Smith said. "The box was packed full of silver Mylar packages labeled with Biopure. There were plastic IV sets with what looked like blood. The box was packed full of these.
"With Whitney leaving the next day to Italy, it seemed like the best thing to do at the time," Smith said.
Richards, who splits his time between Boulder and Cari Mate, Italy, said he confronted Rasmussen when he arrived in Italy a few weeks later. He said Rasmussen acknowledged it was poor judgment but asked what he had done with the hemoglobin substitute. Richards said Rasmussen became angry when Richards explained he had dumped it down a sink.
Richards said he hasn't spoken with Rasmussen since confronting him although he's seen him at some races.
He said he struggled with his silence over the matter for years: "It's like watching someone steal your neighbor's car and not saying anything."
"I've had mixed feelings. I don't like to create chaos out there," Richards said. "But I don't have any regrets."
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