Rasmussen to start in Pijnacker

Tour de France yellow jersey holder Michael Rasmussen will race in the Ronde Van Pijnacker criterium next Saturday. The rider made waves earlier this week when he started earlier this month at a criterium in Copenhagen wearing a plain yellow jersey. Rasmussen was fired by his Rabobank team during the Tour de France and sent home over questions surrounding his whereabouts prior to the Tour, but is not under suspension by the UCI and has no rules prohibiting him from racing.

According to ANP, the organisation is paying €15,000 for Rasmussen's appearance. President Maarten Welling said the organisation had no qualms with extending the invitation to the Dane. "He is an unfortunate victim of the situation. He has not been caught doping, the reason for his dismissal is still completely unclear. We have sympathy for him," said Welling.