By DPA
Copenhagen : The decision by Dutch team Rabobank to drop Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen from the Tour de France was a shock to the president of the Danish Cycling Federation, reports said Thursday.
"The scandal is now full blown," Danish Cycling Federation President Tom Lund was quoted as telling the online edition of the Politiken newspaper.
"The suspension of (Kazakhstan cyclist Alexandre) Vinokourov and Rabobank's decision to send Michael Rasmussen home is an unfortunate situation for cycling, and now all good forces have to combine to restore the sport," he said, speaking from the town of Dinant, Belgium.
Cycling is "in ruins, and I must say I am shocked", Lund said.
While Lund lauded Rabobank for its decision to sack Rasmussen – overall leader of the classic Tour and winner earlier Wednesday of the 16th stage – over apparently violating team rules to avoid doping tests in June, the affair could have been avoided, he said.
"We sent all our information about Michael Rasmussen's actions well before the start of the Tour de France to the Dutch team. Rabobank knew and should already then have pulled Michael Rasmussen from the team," Lund said.
The Danish Cycling Federation last week announced that Rasmussen, 33, was to be dropped from the national team over failing to inform authorities of his whereabouts for possible doping tests.