Gee, thanks for the prejudice, Mr Mantz. I'm Dutch. When I lived in Holland I didn't know where to get drugs. Here in England I know 3 places to get drugs (although I do not feel inclined to buy any). I was a student in Holland. I met ONE guy who snorted cocaine. Here in Britain half the stoods are out of their heads on one thing or another (and I include alcohol) most of the time.

That aside, Mr Rasmussen is actually from Denmark.

starling, Lancaster,

Sory to say this, but French organization of the tour just sucks, bacause no positive results of they riders, it seems like they just want to prove that all contenders on first places, only achieve it cheating. Maybe that's the point, french riders are the worse in the tour, why?? yeah, they just don't dope. Well the suck too.

Fabio, Italy,

It has become clear to me that the UCI, the Dutch Cycling Federation and the team sponsor intended victim was The Tour the France. Mr. Rasmussen was just the means to an end. Perhaps they recent the fact that the world greatest cycling event does not fall under their jurisdiction. Them organizations now seem to be hiding under the coat tails of the team sponsor. The sorry thing is that they have succeded in killing the tour. It will never be the same and the sport of cycling itself will have suffered a devastating setback as public, press and sponsors pull back. The so called stewarts of the sport have commited "Harakiri" as they endeavored to enhance their power and prestige. RIP

Benny, Brandon, USA

I may or may not be fair to kick Rasmussen out of the tour. It is hard to say. If he has lied about his whereabouts (which he denies) and thus evaded the required testing, he should be expelled. Evasion of testing is as good as admitting doping. It is a harsh measure but a measure necessary to get a clean sport. However considering this “zero tolerance” policy, it seems very strange that the man who is now allowed to take over the yellow jersey, Contador, carries an even greater suspicion of doping. Contador was named in the wellknown case of doping, namely the so called “Operation Puerto”, in which a numer of top cyclist (among these Ulrich and Basso) were implicated. Now that Rasmussen is gone, maybe the press should focus on the next man in the yellow jersey. The Tour management obviously has no independent interest in getting a clean competition. It only reacts to the media exposing “rotten apples”.

Ainsworth, Copenhagen, Denmark

""i'm beginning to think the French will do anything to get a frenchman on the podium. I don't believe anything their lab tests or its results. ""- Donna, Whittier, California

The French haven't succeeded very well for some years, then have they?

The French tests are more stringent than anything your country can muster. Your own USA's doping scandals are simply appalling, and only so that the US can get as many 'winners' on various podiums, as possible.

There is nothing wrong with the French systems.

It does nevertheless suggest to me, that if the Tour de France cannot be completed without drugs, then perhaps the whole show should shut up shop.

Hugh HUBBLE, France,

Now that Rabobank has adopted the pre-emptive strike strategy what is next for the witch hunters of sport ? Will they appoint Paul Wolfowitz to be the next president of the UCI ?

Will they add liquids to the list of forbidden items ? Will every rider be limited to three three ounce botlles in a ziplock bag ? After all it seems that clear that dehydration affects performance and it has been shown that ingesting water may help dehydration. This is clearly an unfair advantage for those teams with lots of waterbottles.

Welcome to the new era. As Levi's result shows, we will soon all be able to enter and get a spot on the podium, now that all the good riders have been sacked !

All you have to do is stay clean and keep away from that bottle, and you have it made.

Frank Eeckman, Berkeley, CA

As a professional sportsman you know you have to turn up for your drug tests.
As a sponsoring team you should make sure your riders turn up for the tests

Therfore there is no excuse to miss one. Missing one implies you are trying to get away without being caught. Missing FOUR tells the world you are a drugs cheat trying not to test positive

Geoff Trew, Stevenge, UK

Firstly, if Rasmussen had been french, he wouldn't have been kicked out. Secondly, everyone knows that the last 30 years or more the winner of the Tour the France has been doped. About 70 % of the riders are doped. Doped or not, the best one wins (ex. Lance Armtrong, Riis, etc, etc.) Taking out Rasmussen now is meaningless.

Zertie, Paris, France

The question is not that it is clearly the right decision, it is that it really is far too late in to the Tour to make that decision, that gives it an uncomfortable feel. These facts have been know almost since the start, so would Rasmussen have been thrown out if he was not leading in the Jersey competitions? - Probably not, so enough said.

David, CHorley, Lancashire

Hey you guys blaming the French .If you read properly you would see it was his team that withdrew him .Not the French.
Isnt it about time we forgave the French for saving our bacon at Yorktown.

brian lee, medina, usa ohio

Cannot Rasmussens passport prove or disprove where he was and when? He has been thrown out on suspicion. This decision seems to have been made as a gut reaction and as an attempt to demonstrate a tough stance. Whatever, it has been hugely mismanaged and renders the TdeF farcical. Harsh on his team also. He hasn't failed a drugs test, tho careful timing could allow him to train whilst juicing, which is probably the point of the matter. I wonder if the full details will ever come out. Personally I was a little suspicious of Vinokurovs performances, I just find it hard to believe he was that stupid. Sadly the brilliantly inventive 'conjoined fetal twin' excuse has already been used.

Sue Cooper, London, England

The statement, that the Tour is cleaner than ever, is so wrong, and Rasmussens presence proves that . This is not only about doping, it's about ethics. This will never end before the media acknowledge their responsibility in this matter and ignore the sport for a while. What about Contador? Is his performance not also under suspicion? Was his merits in the mountains not as doubtful as Rasmussens? It's a mess, and the Tour should shot down for a season or two. Is that too drastic, you think? Well, the problem is that drastic, don't you think? The medias and the Tour should get proportions straight on this problem, because right now nothing is getting better, the tour is just changing its direction to becoming just as pitiful and pathetic as a reality show - and we all know how popular those are. The wievers (and medias) have no ethic when it comes to right or wrong in these matters anymore, they just love a good drama - and they have gotten it! Too bad it's at the expense this sport.

Espen Uldal, Copenhagen, Copenhagen

Rasmussen is innocent until proven guilty. As stated above, he did not miss more than two out of contest drug tests by either the UCI or Danish Cycling Union. He has never failed a doping test.

Therefore, he was ejected from Le Tour, not even on the basis of a flimsy technicality, but merely at the whim of Rabobank.

The man deserves credit for his unbelievable determination and grit, especially for responding to Contador's 6 brutal accelerations at the end of Stage 15; one of the great battles in Tour history.

If you suspect Rasmussen, then you must suspect any rider who finds explosive power at the end of a race.

Now I can only hope that Rasmussen's career continues long enough for him to reclaim the Maillot Jaune!

Rick Luyties, Tucson, Arizona, USA

Cycling as a sport is full of drugs and the Tour has a number of "cheats" found every year - My thoughts are that it is the majority taking them and a few getting caught - Very hard to test for Growth Hormone and other doping substances - Do you all honestly feel it is possible to do what the Tour involves day in day out for so long and keep going naturally?! Kidding yourselves.

Matt Harding, Brighton - UK,

Andrew from Pittsburgh.

If sport is to start with everyone equal, allowing riders to compete, all with the exact same amount of EPO, say, will not result in equality, because different riders' bodies will respond to the drug in different ways. This argument that everyone should be allowed to dope is specious.

We should also be asking questions about the leaks that come from the dope testers. If the Tour and the UCi want riders to be beyond reproach, then they should ensure their own sytems are too.

Alex, Hammersmith,

Cycling has been the dope capital of sport since the late 80's, with the introduction of EPO and the newer variants.
There has been no one in the last 17 years who has been a winner who hasn't been doped. The athlete's goal is simply not to get caught.

If you are one of those who think you can beat a dope cheat naturally, then please put your head back in the sand now and keep repeating that cycling and other world sports don't have a problem.

WADA needs all the support it can get to catch those who cheat, including those who have retired, and who the Becky's of this world still believe won on mom's apple pie...

H. Smith, NY.,

First and foremost, Rabobank Team should have fired Rasmussen before the race started three weeks ago. I barely can understand this withdrawal after almost 3.000 kilometres, and i´d like to formulate a question, how do we really know whether this erronous decision comes from LE TOUR or not?.
On the other hand I want to encourage the rest of the peloton, specially Alberto Contador. Vamos Campeón.

Omar Gonzalez, Chicago, Illinois

What a travesty this action is.

Rabobank should be kicked from the tour, permanently, and all Danish sponsors should be booted as well.

The Danish team should not be allowed back into the sport until such time as they HONOR the sport and the riders.

Rasmussen is innocent, not guilty of anything, and yet this notion of GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT has taken from this man everything he worked for, and he should be allowed to be signed to another team immediately so he can ride into Paris with his rightful victory and honor intact.

A shame, truly a shame, for the Tour, for Denmark (home of my ancestors dating back to the kings in the 800s) and for cycling.

Bryan, Virginia Beach, USA, Virginia

The statement, that the Tour is cleaner than ever, is so wrong, and Rasmussens presence proves that . This is not only about doping, it's about ethics. This will never end before the media acknowledge their responsibility in this matter and ignore the sport for a while. What about Contador? Is his performance not also under suspicion? Was his merits in the mountains not as doubtful as Rasmussens? It's a mess, and the Tour should shot down for a season or two. Is that too drastic, you think? Well, the problem is that drastic, don't you think? The medias and the Tour should get proportions straight on this problem, because right now nothing is getting better, the tour is just changing its direction to becoming just as pitiful and pathetic as a reality show - and we all know how popular those are. The wievers (and medias) have no ethic when it comes to right or wrong in these matters anymore, they just love a good drama - and they have gotten it! Too bad it's at the expense this sport.

Espen Uldal, Copenhagen, Copenhagen

In the case of Rassmussen not being available for routine testing must be compared to refusing a breatherliser or blood test when stopped by the police
Your Assumed guilty....by law.

John Cooney, Chesterfield, Derbyshire

Contador deserves to win.

The finishing field will be the cleanest in tour history.

P S Simon, London, w4

Michael Rasmussen's fatal error is that he isnt French. I find it interesting how many non-French cyclists are having "doping issues"...

Paul, Seattle, WA, USA

for such a prestigious sport why dont the organisers have all entrants tested 1 month before the race so any problems can be eliminated therefore making the tour drug free .i know it is difficult times but they are on the right track.now it is up to the team management to get on the case.no more excuses lets get it done.

ken webb, andover, england

"....You'd have to be pretty naive to think he doesn't know the difference between Italy and Mexico"

Are you sure he's not an American? ;-)

Marco, Miami, FL USA

I was shocked to read what occured today as I watched the stage this morning and then went to work. I believe that it was the right thing to do. Cheaters and liars should not win, but we know it happens though thankfully not this time(I hope). Too bad Lance is not there, a true hero in the sport and life.
Go Discovery!!

Donna, Yorkton, Canada

First and foremost, Rabobank Team should have fired Rasmussen before the race started three weeks ago. I barely can understand this withdrawal after almost 3.000 kilometres, and i´d like to formulate a question, how do we really know whether this erronous decision comes from LE TOUR or not?.
On the other hand I want to encourage the rest of the peloton, specially Alberto Contador. Vamos Campeón.

Omar Gonzalez, Guadalajara, Spain

The Tour de France or the Tour de Dopes?
Is it arrogance or foolishness?
Do they not know that they will be caught.

John McNeill, Windhoek, Namibia

Why all the talk of closing down the tour? There have only been (until now) 2 confirmed cases of doping. Far less than the average olympic games and you never hear of anyone calling for an end to those. It is by far the hardest endurance sporting event known to man and is only spoiled by a small minority of cheats. vive le tour!!

martin, colchester, uk

It doesn't shame cycling in the least, but drug testing only catches the poor cheats, what I will say that if wada actually brought out a reliable test for Growth Hormone we would have very few 'clean' sportsmen left. Even down at amatuer level people will dope, get used to it . It is an ethical problem, would you like your son/daugther to enter into sport knowing full well that they may damage their health to even just compete?

Malcolm, durham, UK

This creates a bit of a dilemma for me. No, I do not want people to use doping and some testing is a good thing (though I have severe reservations about how it's done). However, I cannot possibly respect sportspeople who willingly subject themselves to 24/7 monitoring by Big Brother. It shows an extreme poverty of spirit, not at all something to admire or aspire to. Rasmussen may well have been doing something dodgy, but he has basically been punished for going AWOL. What is being described as the ideal scenario by those in charge (continuous checking resulting in no doping) is the ultimate nightmare scenario to me. The world is becoming less free every minute of every day and I find it extremely depressing.

Tim, London,

Blood doping starts as promising youngsters come through. If you take "the gear" you're in, if not, you will not be able to compete. It's a tragedy. There is no totally infalable way to test everyone, no matter what you do. The only thing you can do is ban those who have for life, that way the stakes are too high to cheat. It would be nice to see just for once what sort of performance hard graft will achieve, as oppose to artificially aided graft. As a keen cyclist it is hard to take when the elite in the sport are all "super"human in the wrong way.

Rich, Mids, UK

Extremely disappointing, what had looked like a fantastic Tour, now 3 riders thrown out in a matter of days. If there is a silver lining, it is at least Cycling is taking it seriously and finding the guilty men, other sports take note - making out that they are clean, only because their testing is inadequate!

Andy L, Merseyside, UK

The big thing to remember is that the Tour didn't kick him out, his employer fired him for lying to them and for unprofessional behavior. It was part of his job to make his whereabouts known so that he would be available for random testing which is obviously needed in this sport. He claimed to have been in Mexico when he missed the random tests. I read at Velonews that he was in Italy working with "an as yet unnamed doctor." It's been a rough 36 hours for the sport and it's fans. I applaud the riders who protested this morning and Rabobank for having the guts to do this when they might have won the Tour. Let's keep tossing people out until someone clean wins the Tour.

John, St. Louis, USA / MO

Cycling and the Tour has been rife with doping for years and got worse not better in the past 5 years - It is highly unlikely that anyone winning the Tour is clean or has been a lifelong clean athlete - Why anyone even reacts when cyclists are caught out is beyond me, what's new?

Matt Harding, Brighton - UK,

Which team rule did Ras fall foul of? Can we see the rule please?

Mike, Sydney, Australia

And I know which sport I'm not letting my kids get incolved in - that is cycling - love it or hate it - NO.

Malcolm McLeman, Edinburgh, UK

The countries that read this newspaper subscribe to the principle known as the presumption of innocence, innocent until proven guilty. In Europe the opposite principle prevails, but with so many exceptions that the same result entails.

So, if you commit a crime like assault or murder you must be found guilty by applying basic rules of law and natural justice, right to face one's accuser, right to a hearing and so on.

But if you are an athlete your career, livlihood and reputation are ruined because of an allegation of doping "without proof", an allegation of whereabouts, 'without proof" and an allegation of smuggling via another blood, without proof, is enough to do you in.

Rasmussen denies these allegations and it is his word against another's, yet he is prevented showing that he is, was, the best cyclist on the Tour. No hearing or proof of guilt provided, just poof, gone!

I shall watch the Tour only when justice returns. Rasmussen is the winner and always will be for me.

Gareth Davies, Parksville, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

My question is this - why can the sport not bring together all the stories and add 2 and 2 ? 4 missed drug tests - but 2 UCI's and 2 Danich do not make 4 - Ha. Try that with a speed radar - 2 in Scotalnd and 2 in England makes 4. And what about this story breaking of Rasmussen asking for biopure to be trafficked to Italy - that is where all this started to crumble last week.

Malcolm McLeman, Edinburgh, UK

This is so out-of -hand, that they should go as far as scrapping the current Tour - somehow, a shock factor is needed.

Regroup for next year and plan on testing EVERY rider, EVERY week, commencing X weeks before the Tour and ending 2 weeks afterwards.

Sponsors: take note: As of today, I will no longer follow the Tour, and I if there is a future for this so-called 'sport' I will associate your sponsorship and your corporate identity with the integrity of you team(s).

Here I was rooting for a crook (Rasmussen); and what about the 'poor', 'injured' Vinokurov?

What a disgrace!

Trevor Greening, Castle Rock, Colorado

It's for the best -- time for the sport to go through its catharsis and make a clean break. The riders who play straight have clearly had enough. Imagine how it feels to them to see those who don't consistently surge ahead. With team sponsorships at risk, the livelihoods of all are at stake.

Nicholas Keen, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I am angry over Rasmussen's behavior. The phenomenally difficult and intrusive testing regimens exist to ELIMINATE doping from this remarkable test of courage, endurance and determination. Faliure to comply is either arrogant or stupid at a collosal level. My anger comes from being denied, by Rasmussen's decisions to avoid testing, the chance to see him compete. If the top athletes have no more respect for their sport, they are going to lose the rabid fans like me. Bobby Bonds, meet your friend and compatriot. They are the same.

Rich, Sandwich, IL

Have could the race officials allow Rasmussen to start the race if he did not submit to the mandatory drug tests? There seems to be a problem with the testing procedures within the race along with some of the riders.

Jerry White, Seal Beach, CA

I agree with Ron/Nashville: it is one thing to come down on the dopers, but clearly the ASO/UCI/WADA folks need to professionalize -- enough with the aribitrary rules and what appears to be whimsical and weirdly delayed enforcement.

I thought Millar's and McEwen's comments vis a vis Tour Mgmt and the Cycling Ors were more than pertinent.

Riders, you all might want to think about organizing some kind of union... I'm sure many of us fans would support you...

Caitlin, San Francisco, CA USA

I agree with mr. Ron, this is ridiculous. I bet, if Rasmussen wasn´t in the yellow jersey, any allegations against him would not be made.
I am a fan of DSC, but i dont know why this year I wish Rasmussen to win. Now Contador is in the yellow jersey and i hope that he isn´t next target. But probably he is. I even dont believe testing laboratories that they do their work correctly for example Landis´s case which is going to CAS, i think.

Tomas, Levice, Slovakia

I think Rabobank had no choice. Had Rassmussen cracked and lost the yellow yersey yesterday, they might not have sacked him and allowed him to finish 2nd or 3rd.

But with an almost unassailable lead, Rabobank must have realised that should Rassie win the Tour, that win will always be questioned by fans worldwide thus associating him as a controversial winner for the years to come.

If i was running Rabobank, this is exactly what i would have done. Sure, I would want my team rider to win the Tour - but not at this price. This act injects back some credibility and transparency into the Tour - nevermind at this late stage. I applaud Rabo for making this tough call.

Adil, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I've watched every stage and time trial and now I will not watch anymore. The mountains are grueling and some riders must feel they need the extra energy, but to do it illegally makes the sport a sham. So sorry for the clean team members who worked so hard to support these cheaters.

janet peters, vancouver,, Wash. U.S.A.

Is there still a shortage of schooling in Tennessee, Ron?
Kicking out Rasmussen (by his team, not the organisers) puts Contador and Leipheimer, and the American Discovery Channel Team, right up there and virtually certain to win.
Those wily Frenchies, eh?

Dave Middleton, Storton, UK

It appears that in the world of cycling riders are guilty until proven innocent. If irrefutable evicence that Rasmussen cheated is exposed, then he should obviously be banned like Vinokourov, Moreni and so many others before. But there is no actual evidence that he cheated, no failed tests, only suspicion. I'm glad our justice systems don't operate like the UCI and paranoid corporate team sponsors.

I think cycling has tarnished its image more through this knee-jerk decision to remove the leader mid-race, than if it had followed due process as it is still doing with Floyd Landis.

Bad choice, Rabobank.

Russ Bonny, Golden, CO, USA

We understand your frustration, Ron, but a host of riders (totalling more than 130) are not anywhere near suspicion of violation of drug testing.................based on the current standings, the UCI and the Tour would have to go through a host of Spanish, American and other riders before consideration could be given to a Frenchman to win the tour............In spite of the current series of blows dealt to the Tour, there's still some good (and honest) riders in this race...............GO DSC and Contador,Leipheimer, Hincapie,and Popovych!

Ed, Wilsonville, USA/OR

These team officials are a joke. For the police to spend any time on sports doping investigations rather than solving serious crimes that effect people like muder, rape, etc is a joke. The UCI taking a position on who should win the tour is another joke. These people reduce the sport to the level of professional boxing - WBA, WBF, WBC and Don King.

This would not happen on US Postal. Armstrong and team would not simply withdrawl because of some oafs whining. Who care where Rassumssen was at the time. It doesn't matter to me. Let him ride.

This sport is silly

Ski Fisc, Washington DC, USA

Good riddance! If we wait for every last bit of evidence before acting, those who cheat will never be punished. If it looks like a duck and sounds like a duck...

James, Charleston, WV

If, you lie to your employer as to your whereabouts - you are likely to suffer some form of punishment. It does not matter if you are wearing the yellow jersey in the Tour de France or sitting in an office.

The riders of Rabobank, Cofidis and Astana cannot bring shame on their respective sponsors and expect to carry on as if nothing has happened. T-Mobile is also considering its sponsorship of the German Team - once the sponsors go there is no more professional cycling!

kev rymell, Norwich, UK

My question is this - why can the sport not bring together all the stories and add 2 and 2 ? 4 missed drug tests - but 2 UCI's and 2 Danich do not make 4 - Ha. Try that with a speed radar - 2 in Scotalnd and 2 in England makes 4. And what about this story breaking of Rasmussen asking for biopure to be trafficked to Italy - that is where all this started to crumble last week.

And where is the corpporate resonsibility - rename Rabobank Robabank I say.

Malcolm McLeman, Edinburgh UK

Malcolm McLeman, Edinburgh, UK

To Baustian:

The UCI has not disqualified Astana or Rabobank. The ASO (organisation of the Tour) has ASKED Astana to quit the Tour and they did so immediately.

As for Rabobank: it is the riders who can decide whether or not they leave the Tour. As of yet, no decision has been taken.

The UCI has nothing to do with it whatsoever.

Pascal C, Oostende, Belgium,

If folks think there should be no doping in sports, especially in something as gruelling as the Tour, they are so naive. In the end it's riders (human beings) competing against each other, who ought to be aware of what they are doing to their bodies so let it be. If they are not aware, then they should be educated and decide for themselves if it's worth getting blood transfusion, taking EPO and so on. Afterall this case proves that the anti-doping organisation is useless.

Katie, London,

*********Le Tour de France**********

Fondly remembered, dearly missed.

-----------------1903 - 1997---------------

.....................Rest In Peace..................

Steve, W Yorks UK,

Sport and the media has become so commercial , cycling formula one, football, even the BBC, that some competitors team managers, agents, and organisations will go to any lengths to win support or followers, viewers, with shady deals and actions like we have seen in the sport, media, and commercial world recently.

All professional sport has evidence of corruption driven by the high commercial stakes facing it.

Albie, London, UK

I can't believe it! a group of blokes (mainly dutch) riding around the country side dressed in Lycra! and we are surprised that their on drugs!!!! my only question is....if i get on my bike can they get me some.

Paul Mantz, Zminj, Croatia

The people see only one point of view, the riders who have doped. But has somebody asked: "Why did the riders dope?
I think, that the main problem is sponsor´s exceptation to win to much races!!!

Marian, Trencin, Slovakia

I dont agree with this sensational expulsion of michael.....something is definitely fishy.....did he fail a test ? NO!!!!! over the past 2-3 years the tour is courting more controversy than ever,its better that the organisers take a deep look into this so that any complications can be avoided at the start of the tour itself not between it else it will force the viewers to give the tour a miss

Pratyush, India,

I don't understand how they work this system. Why it takes so long to get results and why in the heck these riders keep thinking that they won't get caught.

Rick, DAvenport, Iowa

Mike, the 'innocent until proven guilty ethos' is in fact intact. Rasmussen may not have been proven guilty of using drugs, but he has been proven guilty of breaking team rules which are designed to deter and identify drug use. This is the right course of action for a sport that desperately needs to clean up its act. Removing the obstacles to successful drug detection is just as valid a method of beating cheats as drug testing. The sooner the relevant bodies adopt the French approach of year-round testing, with severe sanctions for transgressors, the better.

Richard, London, UK

Cycling should be given more credit for its stringent dope testing procedures and tough stance on the those that are caught cheating or trying to avoid testing. It's unfortunate that the success of these controls in catching dopers results in bad publicity for the sport. But it shows that the tests are working. If only other sports federations adopted the same diligence. The media should be supporting Cycling's efforts to clean up and heaping pressure on the other sports where dope testing procedures are a joke.

Alex, Shanghai, China

As this is so prevelent, let the drugs flow freely, i think it will be terrific, we can have 400km stages finished in twenty minutes, with only one ad break, we can have the tour oven in couple of days. I would also love to see a 5sec 100meters. So much less sport time I am for that. As long as there is big bucks involved people will cheat.

PS. Question, will we, over time, still have male and female sporting divisions???

AndrewX, Sydney, Australia

Rasmussen won the tour as far as I am concerned - the remaining riders should withdraw in protest. Let those who don't dope throw the first stone - you won't get many takers. The sport is compromised and we must either legalize doping or create a system and procedures to monitor all riders day and night during a race. I can't see any other solution. Ridiculous!

Andrew, Pittsburgh, PA

I want to know what is really going on behind the scenes here . If he is cheating then why did the the team wait till now to pull him . I don't know who looks worst the riders who cheat , the UCI , or the Tour De France .

Ray Everitt, Doylestown, Pa

There is more to this than meets the eye. What about the money issue? What about the media, why don't they search more deepley? And, and, and.....

Per Hafnar, Copenhagen, Denmark

While I'm against doping i'm beginning to think the French will do anything to get a frenchman on the podium. I don't believe anything their lab tests or its results. Rasmussen is the best this year, and while I'm rooting for DSC--I believe the best rider won't win this year.

Donna, Whittier, California

Well, maybe no "proof" of doping YET but no doubt about being dishonest about his whereabouts. You'd have to be pretty naive to think he doesn't know the difference between Italy and Mexico :-) This decision wasn't done prior to the tour because some of this testimonies are only coming forward now. Better late than never for Rabobank and the Tour. They are doing the sport a service by dumping these cheats before the end of the race - no matter how untimely it may seem. When you say "till the (sic) have a frenchman in the yellow Jersey" are you convinced that only the french don't cheat or are you simply being a bigot?

Doug, Haileybury, Canada

First, you state that Rasmussen was 'withdrawn' & was 'dismissed'. I think the non-politically correct words are 'kicked off' & 'fired'; at least , that's what the other sources I have read say. Why he was ever allowed to start 'Le Tour' in the first place is anyones guess. But, one must only remember what Lance had to go through, and he played by the rules. We follow the tour as a family and we feel ALL of the cyclist should be clean. The concern over his 'spot' tests prior to the event are to pick up on initial changes in body chemistry (i.e.,an increased Hemoglobin), but that may have normalized enough by the time of the event so that it would not be picked up - hence why these tests are done not announced and on a 'spot' basis. If the ICU is choosing to try to clean up the sport, let's help, not hinder. After all, they tried really, really hard to catch Lance; he complied and they couldn't catch him. He also didn't get FIRED by his pro team - he retired and is still helping others!

Becky Brennan, Parker, CO, USA

I am extremely disappointed with this news, not of Rasmussen, but of the team. This has been going on since June, and I also agree with Ron that this should have been dealt with BEFORE the tour. The tour officials cleared him before the Tour started, and this was the wrong time to do this. I am no longer watching the Tour this year because the disappearing contenders for the Yellow Jersey.

Kathryn, Los Angeles, CA USA

I can see how a cyclist could be sabotaged by another team, by taking a drink from a water bottle that contained a banned substance. But there is no innocent excuse for blood doping. Most of the competitors are clean, IMO, but the UCI needs to kick out all the cheaters. Getting rid of Vinokurov and Rasmussen is a good thing, and disqualifying their teams may seem harsh but is a necessary penatly.

J Baustian, San Diego, California

I agree, this is a little too far. If you're in the race you're in the race. Vinokourov...ok i can understand that one but geez your going to kick the yellow jersey out three days before he can win because he lied about his whereabouts? I'm against drug use but watching the tour de france, how do you bike like that without drugs? I don't care if they're doped up or not, its still amazing what they can do. Im in pretty good shape and Id need a lot of drugs to finish just a couple days of that tour. Let the man race and compete to win with a field of contenders i'm sure are as questionable as him.

Matt B, baltimore, md

The Tour organizers do not want to have to deal with two consecutive Tour doping scandals involving GC winners (Floyd Landis). They have never had to dethrone a Tour champion.

I think Rabobank should have figured this out prior to the Tour.
Teams should implement massive fines for missed tests and deceitful conduct. Money talks in cycling not morality.

Kristian, Toronto, ON

I stand behind Rasmussen and believe he was treated unfairly by his team and race organizers. This kind of behavior by riders and the organization is seriously hurting the sports credibility.

Doug, Raleigh, NC

At least cycling is airing its dirty laundry. We can only hope all sports follow this lead because cheating is also stealing someone else's glory.

Tamsin, NY, NY

I completely support this decision. What about young riders whose dream is to ride the tour? They need to know you can do it without doping!
The speculation with Rasmussen was hurting the Tour. His lies reveal hubris and selfishness. With Festina in 1998, then Operacion Peurto (which i note current yellow jersey holder Contador was implicated), and then in 2006 came Landis, the only way to preserve the dignity of the Tour is to take a hard approach.
The only decent thing to do is give the victory to Cadel Evans who has never had any doubt over his integrity.

Tony, Sydney,

There is no such thing as an appropriate time to remove a rider from the race regardless of the jersey colour, however quite simply if they follow the race and team rules they won't get removed from the race. If they are found to cheat they should be removed, even if that is as they cross the finish line in Paris regardless of their position.
The reason Rasmussen was allowed to race was because his suspicious behaviour was not made public before the race by the UCI. Race organisers have stated that if they knew his application to compete would have been, and quite correctly, rejected. I think the UCI should become more transparent in this respect with perhaps missing 2 or more tests in 24 months meaning the riders name is placed on some kind of blacklist for race organisers to use when processing applications to compete.
I agree that drastic action is required from the UCI. Perhaps monthly tests are required from all riders until the cheats are removed and integrity regained.

Dean, Sydney, Australia

The other contributors to this "have your say" must have read a dfferent article from me! The guy lied about his whereabouts and he has been mysteriously unavailable for testing during June for two years now, not to mention shipping blood packages to Italy! If those are the actions of an innocent man, I'm the Pope. The Tour would like to finish on Sunday with a known winner without a repeat of 2006. And by the way, it was Rabobank that pulled him from the Tour not the French doping agencies. Quit with the conspiracy theories and support the Tour in its aim to clean up the sport. Vive le tour.

A Grant, Sydney,

It's been a rough 24 hours for fans, but I applaud the action. Rasmussen agreed as a condition of his employment to always disclose his whereabouts. One news story I read said that he was in Italy working with an as yet unnamed doctor when he had claimed to be in Mexico. If you lie to your employer and governing body about what continent you're on and miss a required doping test, there's a damned good chance that you're up to something. I don't know why Cassani didn't say something earlier, but let's keep tossing riders out until we find a clean one. I feel sorry for all of the teammates (on Astana and Cofidis and Rabobank) who have sacrificed their own Tours. It's important to remember here that it wasn't the Tour that threw him out, it was the people who sign his paychecks and stood to gain from having a rider win the Tour.

John, St. Louis, USA / MO

This is an absolute joke. Two of my favourite riders (Vinokourov and Ramussen) have been implicated in drug scandals and are now out of the tour. The people we idolize and look up to are deceiving their fans for their own personal benefit. Where do we go from here? I am at a loss to what has happened.
The sport of cycling has taken another huge blow. There is little to no credibility left in the sport. Unacceptable!!!!!!!!!!

CyclingGod69, Adelaide, Australia

this has absolutely disappointed me as rasmussen has not tested positive for any banned substances and from watching the tour for the last few years seeing such a valient effort and performance from this man he does not deserve this. He has riden like a true champion and this is not the ending i wanted to see. How do the other riders like contador,evans,liephimer feel knowing that if they win it was only because the UCL has taken out a great cyclist.and in closing it strikes me as the UCL was out to get the rasmussen from the start as the UCL chief stated that he wanted rasmussen to fail. in my mind it is a controversy and the the ucl should be shamed at their decision to throw rasmussen off the tour .he is the only one there that is worthy of winning the tour and for him to go down in this way is absolutely shocking and heart breaking for all cycling fans across the world.

jeremy pantin, diego martin, trinidad and tobago

The appearance of inpropriety is just as important as the act itself. The rules are clear and Rasmussen clearly gamed the system and then lied about it. Shame. Good on Rabobank for 0 tolerance. Why would he lie to his team managers if he wasn't cheating. The sad part is that removing him from the race won't change the fact that he's now influenced the race. Had he not been there Contador may have acted more as a lieutenant as Levi might have been more competitive with Evans and his preparations for riding the best race in his life might have paid off if he were not battling it out against drug cheats. We'll never know how it might have played out but what we do know is that the clean riders who dedicated themselves have suffered the most.

Steve, san francisco, ca, usa

Unfortunately all competitive athletic events will be destroyed and become meaningless over time due to cheats.

Reap the whirlwind.

Pete, UK,

My hat off to Rabobank for making a very tough decision. Upholding team rules is more significant than having a tour victory brings a refreshing responsibility to Pro sports and bicycling that has been missing for a long time. At this time to pull the Michael in the yellow jersey by the team director, tells me that Rabobank is a team of integrety. Who cares about the yellow jersey if it was won outside the UCI or team rules. As an example, Who cares what Barry Bonds does. I don't know the level of infractions that Michael has committed, but I respect the director and Rabobank for a heartbreaking decision that I'm sure has left the remainder of the Rabobank syndicate in tears.

Mark Switek, Anaconda, Montana USA

The tour and his team is saying he's guilty without presenting any facts. They look much worse than Michael at this time. I hope he shows up at the start line tomorrow morning.

Jake, Vancouver, BC

Who forced Rasmussen out? Seems like he's a sacrificial lamb. Where's the "innocent till proven guity" ethos. Seems like underhand politics to me. And its ruined the best race for years.

Mike, Sydney, Australia

"You can trust me".. M. Rasputin (and I felt sorry for him two years ago when he kept running off the road)

What an upsetting development! Well, if it upsets some of the people who thought they could continue to use the unfair and harmful doping practices I say upset away!

It is at least some vindication for the guys who have cleaned up their act, and are working within the rules. It's a sad blow to the entire sport however, and it tarnishes the reputations of everyone involved, both honest and dishonest.

It's not too surprising that an evil that has become so pervasive in all of sports is not so easily rooted out however. There will be a lot of bad-mouthing of the sport of cycling, but I hope there's a chance for cycling to become one of the first sports to address the issue in a serious way, and to truly eradicate this pox that afflicts the athletes. None of the major league sports in the US will beat them to it.

Go team Discovery Channel!

Scott, Indianapolis, USA / Indiana

This is the saddess the in cycling! Whats next? The Olympics!

Craig, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

he is a champion we will not watch any more off the tour as we are so dissapointed. LET HIM RACE

Helen Cox, christchurch, new zealand

I know 8 other guys who can leave at a moment's notice....we're all clean, not terribly fast but we could manage the run in to Paris....The way the teams are dropping out, we stand a good chance for a podium finish...........

robert matthews, san anselmo, calif

This is the wrong ime to be kicking the leader out of the tour. First, only 2 days ago, the head of UCI said "it would be better if he didn't win".......a terrible thing to say without ANY proof of doping, even by their standards. Second, he has passed all of his tests during the tour. Lastly, I think his international team has put the preasure to do something behind the scenes since he kind of shugged them. I am all for testing and getting the dopers out of cycling but give me a break. Why wasn't this done PRIOR to the tour if there was an issue. I am at the point I don't even want to watch anymore I I am a DSC fan. Next I gues is Contador, then everybody till the have a frenchman in the yellow Jersey

Ron, Nashville, Tn USA

This is getting crazy. Will anyone actually make it to the Champs-Elysee?

sophie bressler, basel,