ITALY: CYCLING - Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen seeks refuge at his home on Lake Garda after dramatic sacking from Tour de France

Sacked Rabobank rider Michael Rasmussen, who was exiting and entering his Italian home in Lazise, Italy, on Friday (July 27, 2007), could face disciplinary proceedings from the Union Cycliste International (UCI) if any further information that he failed to provide accurate details as to his training whereabouts comes to light. "The UCI (International Cycling Union) will examine the reasons for his suspension from Team Rabobank last night," the sport's governing body said in a statement on Thursday (July 26). "If we become aware of additional evidence indicating that Mr Rasmussen has failed to provide accurate whereabouts information, the UCI will open disciplinary proceedings against him." Rasmussen was dismissed by Rabobank on Wednesday (July25) after the Dutch team said the Tour de France leader had lied about his training whereabouts in June. Rabobank said Rasmussen told them he was training in Mexico while he was actually in Italy, an allegation the Dane denies. The 33-year-old, who did not start Thursday's stage of the race, received a final warning from the UCI on June 29 and was told that further failure to provide accurate whereabouts information would result in disciplinaryproceedings, the statement said. UCI rules allow a rider three warnings before disciplinary proceedings are started, although warnings from other anti-doping organisations can also be considered in the decision. The Danish Cycling Union announced last week that they would not consider Rasmussen for selection for the national team after he had received several warnings for failing tokeep them up to date with his movements. After leaving France, Rasmussen returned to his home on Italy's Lake Garda. As he drove into his gargage on Friday afternoon (July 27) he was surrounded by photographers and TV crews but declined to speak to the media. Following Rasmussen's exclusion, Spain's Alberto Contador inherited the yellow jersey following the 17th stage on Thursday (July 26).

ITN Source | July 28, 2007

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