Bjarne Riis’s return to the peloton has split the opinion in Denmark. The Danish Cycling Federation is not pleased with the comeback of Riis but Michael Rasmussen supports his compatriot.

Bjarne Riis (52) is back with a vengeance, wighteen months after he was sidelined by Oleg Tinkov. Next year he returns with two Danish teams: the continental Virtu Pro and the women’s WorldTour team BMS Birn.

But the Danish Cycling Federation does not welcome the news, not only because Riis is a former doper, but mainly because the Dane has accepted doping in his previous teams.

As opposed this, Michael Rasmussen supports his compatriot. "In Denmark, there is a mad crusade against Riis," Rasmussen told the Danish media. "The criticism of his person is hypocritical.

"The project that Riis brings to cycling is a far cry from the cycling world to which he belonged. And I think Riis has also become wiser over the years.

"Riis' comeback is a very good thing for the Danish cycling, not just financially. He has tons of experience to have a cycling team at the highest level."