Lefevere: IPCT didn't pressure Rabobank

Patrick Lefevere, the chairman of the International Professional Cycling Teams (IPCT), has reacted to the expulsion of Michael Rasmussen from the Dutch ProTour team Rabobank, saying the body didn't pressure the squad. "I don't understand it anymore.," he said to HLN.be. "No, we didn't put any pressure on De Rooy. I see this only with sorrow. This is a bad day for the sport."

Lefevere wouldn't be drawn to comment any further on the Rasmussen dismissal, instead hitting out at the UCI's timing on announcing the rider had missed lodging his whereabouts with authorities. "I cannot talk about the Rasmussen issue, I don't know enough about it," he said. "What is for sure is the UCI communicated this too late and the fact is we are all affected by this."