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Herning, Denmark - In the latest doping scandal to hit the sport of cycling since Lance Armstrong's confession earlier this month, Danish rider Michael Rasmussen admitted on Thursday that he took performance-enhancing drugs for more than a decade.
Rasmussen said he took everything from testosterone and growth hormones to blood transfusions from 1998-2010 in an effort to boost his performance. The 38-year-old Dane said he would quit the sport immediately and cooperate with anti-doping agencies.
"When I get up from here today and leave this room, it's as a very relieved man," Rasmussen said in western Denmark. "I no longer have a heavy burden to carry, like I have done for the last several years.
"I am happy that I don't have to sit and lie to you anymore when you ask about my past."
Rasmussen led the 2007 Tour de France until he was kicked off for lying about his whereabouts when he missed pre-race doping tests.
He later admitted that he had lied and was banned from cycling for two years, but had so far insisted he didn't break any rules and never tested positive for any drugs.
Rasmussen's confession comes during a turbulent time for cycling, two weeks after Armstrong admitted he doped on his way to seven Tour de France victories.
Earlier this week, anti-doping authorities suspended Luxembourg cyclist Frank Schleck until July 14 after he tested positive for a banned substance during last year's Tour de France. Schleck has denied any wrongdoing.
Rasmussen said he was cooperating with anti-doping agencies in Denmark, the Netherlands and the United States, as well as the World Anti-Doping Agency, in an effort to "help clean up the sport."
He admitted to using EPO - a mix of growth hormones and cortisone -testosterone, insulin, the banned steroid DHEA, and blood transfusions.
"I am aware that I have cheated and lied," Rasmussen said. "I am ready to accept my punishment."
Denmark's anti-doping agency had scheduled a news conference later Thursday.
Rasmussen competed in mountain bike racing before switching to road racing for teams including CSC-Tiscali and Rabobank.
Rasmussen's admission was the biggest doping scandal to hit Danish cycling since Bjarne Riis revealed in 2007 that he had used EPO to win the Tour in 1996. Riis is now owner and manager of Team Saxo-Tinkoff.
