The International Cycling Union (UCI) have issued a licence to the new team of former Danish cyclist Michael Rasmussen, who has just purged a two-year doping ban, the team owner has revealed.

Rasmussen was thrown off the 2007 Tour de France by his team, Rabobank, while wearing the leader’s yellow jersey for lying about his whereabouts the previous month when he was being sought out for doping tests, and was subsequently banned by the UCI.

“We’re very happy to have obtained this licence to move forward and prepare for the season,” watch designer Christina Hembo, owner of the luxury Christina Design London label, told Danish television TV2 Sporten.

Hembo started up the new cycling team – Christina Watches – at the end of 2010 to help Rasmussen who wanted to return to the sport but could not find a team.

Rasmussen, 36, will be captain of the new outfit which currently includes 13 riders.

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