Rasmussen's eligibility questioned

By Julien Pretot

PAU, France (Reuters) - The president of the Danish Cycling Union (DCU) has questioned Tour de France leader Michael Rasmussen's eligibility to race after revealing the rider was handed four warnings for failing to provide his whereabouts.

Under International Cycling Union (UCI) rules, a rider must inform the sport's governing body of his personal schedule so random tests can be conducted.

If the cyclist fails to do so, he receives a warning. Three such warnings over a rolling 18-month period is considered the equivalent of a positive test and results in a two-year suspension.

"He has actually had four warnings," DCU president Jesper Worre told Reuters by telephone on Tuesday.

"I don't know why he has not been suspended. It is not our job to do that that, we can just decide not to select him."

Worre revealed that the Danish Rabobank rider received a first warning from UCI last year and a second on June 29 this year for failing to inform the authority of his training location.

The official added that Anti-Doping Denmark (ADD) issued the rider a warning on April 6 after they went to an address he gave in Italy to conduct a random test and he was not present.

He then received a second warning from the ADD on June 21 for a similar offence.