Dane says he hasn't signed a contract with CDC-Cavaliere
Race leader Michael Rasmussen (Tecos Trek) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Reports of Michael Rasmussen's team affiliation for 2010 conflicted Friday. First, he was reported to be headed to the CDC-Cavaliere team for 2010 according to Biciciclismo. Later, he told the Danish ekstrabladet.dk that he had not yet signed with any team.
Initially, Rasmussen was linked to the CDC-Cavaliere team, which was known as Centri della Calzatura in 2009. The squad is expected to step up its status from continental to professional continental. Had he joined the team, Rasmussen would have raced with Daniele Callegarin and Bernardo Riccio, who is reportedly transferring from Flaminia.
"We have sent all the documentation to the UCI, and we are confident that we will be at the professional level," said CDC-Cavaliere team manager Floriano Torresi.
"It is not true," said Rasmussen to ekstrabladet.dk when asked later if he had signed a contract. "It is a mystery to me how this story has evolved. Now I really hope that this false piece of information does not mess things up for me with regards to the contract which I am in fact negotiating at the moment." Torresi also indicated surprise at the news of Rasmussen's contract with his team.
Rasmussen declined to say where he is going next season. The Dane said he has an idea, but was deferring saying anything else for the time being. "I can only say that I am definitely not riding for CDC-Cavaliere next year."
Earlier this week, Rasmussen had promised to announce his new professional squad by week’s end, signaling his return to the professional peloton in Europe. At the same time, he had mentioned Ruta del Sol, the Giro d'Italia and the Vuelta a España as races in which he is interested for next season.
Rasmussen has been racing in South America with Tecos-Trek since returning from his two year ban after lying about his wherabouts during his preparations for the 2007 Tour de France.
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Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews. She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.
