Rasmussen sacked 'on the spot'

A Rabobank spokesman confirmed on Wednesday night that Dane Rasmussen had "broken team rules" - amid reports the team captain was to be removed from the tour - subsequently, the team have posted a statement on their own website explaining the circumstances which led to Rasmussen's sacking.

"On Wednesday night, Michael Rasmussen - the wearer of the yellow jersey - has been withdrawn from the Tour team by the management of the Rabo Cyclingteams, and has been dismissed on the spot. Rasmussen appeared to have lied about his true whereabouts in the training period before the Tour de France," said the statement.

"Those whereabouts were a crucial part of the argumentation used by the team management to confront and counter the allegations with regard to the captain. Until now, it is unclear whether the other seven Rabo-team riders will appear at the start of the 17th stage on Thursday. The Rabo-staff leaves that up to the riders to decide."

A statement from sponsors Rabobank made clear the disappointment with the actions of their highest-profile rider.

"Rabobank are shocked and extremely disappointed that Rasmussen has lied about his whereabouts," they said. "As it turns out now, he was not in the place that he had filled in on his whereabouts papers and that he had handed in to the UCI, which he had already done too late.

"Rasmussen was rightly given a warning by the UCI for having been late with the handing in of his papers. An incorrect notification of one's whereabouts is a flagrant violation of UCI regulations and unacceptable. Rabobank fully supports the decision of the Rabo cycling team management to directly withdraw Rasmussen from the race and to dismiss him on the spot.

"Rabobank understands that the morale of the riders is now so low that it is hard for them to decide whether they will start tomorrow. This development with regard to the Rabo cycling team is a black page in the history of the Rabo cycling plan."