Rabobank Team

Rabobank team boss Erik Breukink confirmed at the Tour de France on Sunday that star rider Denis Menchov recently gave evidence to Austrian police investigating a suspected blood doping. During last month's Tour of Italy Menchov was handed a summons by Austrian police who are investigating a Vienna laboratory, Humanplasma, suspected of being at the heart of a blood doping ring. Suspended Austrian cyclist Bernhard Kohl, who announced his retirement in May, reportedly told prosecutors he received blood transplants at Humanplasma. Menchov is believed to have travelled to Austria to speak to investigators two weeks ago. Breukink said on Sunday, however, that both Menchov ... Read Full Story

The teams of Tour de France contenders Cadel Evans and Denis Menchov suffered further setbacks during the race's fifth stage on Wednesday. On the descent of the Cote de Treilles as the peloton upped the pace in chase of a six-man breakaway, 23-year-old Dutchman Robert Gesink crashed and picked up injuries to his wrist and left leg. He was later diagnosed with a fractured wrist and pulled out of the race by his Rabobank team, who have been left reeling with the relative demise of their yellow jersey contender Menchov. Evans' teammate Staf Scheirlinckx had earlier crashed into a ditch next to Frenchman Stephane ... Read Full Story

Russia's Tour of Italy champion Denis Menchov will lead the Rabobank team in next month's Tour de France, the Dutch based team's manager said on Thursday. The 31-year-old could have a chance in the Tour, although Alberto Contador will be favourite, team manager Erik Breukink said. The Rabobank line-up for the Tour also includes up-and-coming Dutch rider Robert Gesink and Spaniard Juan Manuel Garate - both of them strong climbers. Spain's three-time world road race champion Oscar Freire and Juan Antonio Flecha as well as Dutch racer Stef Clement, who performed well in last week's Dauphine Libere race, are also in the line-up. Team: ... Read Full Story

Michael Rasmussen is out of the 2007 Tour de France.  Rabobank showed him the door this afternoon. Rasmussen has been under suspicion of doping all year because of 3 missed drug tests.  But now the Rabobank Team discovered that Rasmussen has being lieing about his whereabouts during those missed drug tests and during training sessions. Scandal has surrounded the Tour de France for several years now.  There were numerous allegations against Lance Armstrong, then Floyd Landis failed a drug test in the final days of last year's Tour de France. This year, despite increased attention from Tour directors and team managers, there's been lots ... Read Full Story

Spaniards Juan Antonio Flecha and Oscar Freire look to boost Rabobank’s flagging morale when the Tour de France sixth stage, tailor-made for one-day specialists, takes the bunch from Girona to Barcelona on Thursday. Read Full Story