Rabobank question legality of Danish tests on Rasmussen

By Julien Pretot

PAU, France (Reuters) - The team of Tour de France leader Michael Rasmussen questioned on Tuesday the legality of drugs tests conducted on the rider by the Danish Anti-Doping Agency (ADD).

Dane Rasmussen is a Monaco resident and has had cycling a licence from the principality since January 1, 2007. The Rabobank rider was a Mexico resident the two previous years.

"It is questionable from a legal point of view from ADD to be authorised to do tests with Michael outside Denmark because Michael has a licence from another federation," Rabobank's lawyer Harro Knijff told a news conference.

"Until January 1, he had a licence from the Mexican federation and as of January 1, he has a licence from the federation of Monaco.

"It is highly questionable from a legal point of view that ADD have the competence to do tests outside Denmark," he added.

Asked if he had ever been tested by Mexico or Monaco's authorities, Rasmussen said: "No, I have never been tested by the Monaco authorities or by the Mexican authorities."

Rasmussen often trains in Mexico, the home country of his wife.

The 33-year-old, who has led the Tour since the eighth stage of the race, has been at the centre of a controversy since the Danish Cycling Union (DCU) announced last Thursday he had been dropped from the national team for the world championships.