Michael Rasmussen, who Rabobank famously took out of the 2007 Tour de France on the brink of victory, has admitted to taking performance enhancing substances from 1998 to 2010. This happened during a press conference in Denmark on Thursday:

”As a result of my collaboration I will be suspended by the doping authorities, and I am willing to accept that. I have used performance enhancing drugs and methods from 1998 until 2010. This includes EPO, growth hormone, testosterone, DHEA, Insuline, IGF-1, Cortisone and blood transfusions.”

The Danish climber also announced that he would retire as a rider and declared that he would reveal all his knowledge of cheating to the anti-doping authorities. The Dane had this to say on his facebook fanpage:

”A long day is drawing to a close. Thanks to everyone who has shown understanding and fantastic support. It has made my day a lot easier. To the rest of you, I can only apologize once again.”

The admission comes after a series of former Rabobank riders have come forward and admitted to doping in the past. But unlike the now dethroned king of the tour, Lance Armstrong, Rasmussen has declared a willingness to shed light on all details of past wrongdoings:

”The anti-doping authorities have been informed of what I have used and how. My deal with them is based on a confidentiality agreement, which means that I cannot divulge further details at this time. But that may happen later.”

The Dutch anti-doping authorities have already spoken to the 38-year old Dane, and director Herman Ram made the following statement to Danish television network TV2:

”He seemed open and honest and gave us relevant and interesting information. He seemed cooperative, and I am certain that he did his utmost to tell us how things were done. Our work is like a jigsaw puzzle. We already knew what was going on, but a lot of details are still missing.”

Michael Rasmussen will continue work for his team Christina Watches Onfone, this time as a salesman while being banned from the sport. The length of his ban is expected to be reduced from 8 to 2 years, and then the plan is for Rasmussen to become directeur sportif for the succesful continental team.