Danish rider Michael Rasmussen is focussed on once again taking top results and said that he plans to target the national championships as well as the Vuelta a España. The only problem with that is that he is still struggling with glandular fever, meaning that his mind is setting goals that his body probably cannot reach.
“I registered for the national championships and aim to participate if the disease will allow it,” he told Politiken. “Similarly, I am looking at the Vuelta, but I am very positive about the opportunity to be part of the race in Spain.
“At the conclusion of the Giro d’Italia, I was in Verona and talked with many people from other teams. Against this background, I expect that the Vuelta will be included in my season programme. There have been no concrete decisions but the people in the industry know well that I can ride a bike, even if I am not racing right now. I think there may be need for me in the Spanish tour.”
However the fact that Rasmussen is speaking at all about racing appears to be premature, given that he has not even been given the go-ahead to resume hard training. In fact, some doctors are telling him that he should be resting completely. One danger with glandular fever is that if the sufferer does not allow the body to fully recover, it can evolve into a far longer-lasting situation such as chronic fatigue.
Because of that, doctors are normally very cautious and advise patients to be careful with regards to what they can do.
Rasmussen is so keen to come back that it seems he has a difficulty in following that advice. “It is very frustrating that I have no idea when I will be on top again. I have consulted four different experts,” he said. “Two have said that I must remain completely at rest, while the other two say that I can work out gently. I chose to listen mostly to the last two, but it is not a nice feeling that I do knot know whether it harms or benefits when I sit on the bike.
“I go for regular checks and have given a lot of samples. The only thing I am waiting on now is getting the green light. On the other had, I’ve also been told that it might take between two and eight months before the virus has left the body, and that the best cure is rest and patience. But I don’t have much of the latter.”
The Dane is clearly frustrated and wants to get back to a high level after a long layoff due to a doping suspension. However digging in too soon could exacerbate the situation. It remains to be seen how things will play out.