Thomas Dekker, who served a two-year doping ban from 2010-11, has been promoted to the Team Garmin- Cervelo cycling team from its developmental team.
Dekker was introduced to a packed Boulder Theater on Thursday night during the 2012 team launch.
Dekker, 27, rode with the Belgium-based Silence-Lotto in 2009 when he tested positive for EPO three days before the Tour de France. During his two-year ban, he sent blood samples to Jonathan Vaughters, CEO of Team Garmin-Cervelo, and was placed on its developmental team, Chipotle, earlier this season.
“Before he started doping, he was probably the most promising rider of his generation,” Vaughters said. “He was winning pro races when he was 20.”
When Dekker first contacted Vaughters about joining the team in 2008, he admitted doping in 2007. The 2009 positive test was retroactive from a 2007 test.
“This team is 100 percent clean,” Dekker said. “People probably doubt him; ‘Why sign Thomas Dekker? He tested positive.’ But it was a long process. I worked (hard) and he (Vaughters) also worked (hard). For him (Vaughters), it’s much easier not to take me.” John Henderson, The Denver Post
• Track world champion Alex Rasmussen was cleared of doping charges by the Denmark Sports Federation, and, if the ruling is accepted by International Cycling Union, he will be allowed to join Garmin, his new team, next year.
DU hockey signs three.
The University of Denver hockey team signed three players to letters of intent: forward Quentin Shore of Denver, a previous commitment whose brothers, Drew and Nick, already play for DU; and defensemen Nolan Zajac of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Dakota Mermis of Alton, Ill. Mermis is the younger brother of current Pioneer Jarrod Mermis, and Zajac is the son of Tom Zajac, who played at DU from 1973-76.
Pioneers’ volleyball season ends.
The University of Denver volleyball team (13-16) ended its season with a loss in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference tournament, falling 3-1 (25-21, 23-25, 25-21, 25-18) to No. 5 seed and host Florida International (20-9). The Pioneers, the No. 4 seed, were led by all-SBC first-teamer Faimie Kingsley’s 16 kills.
Roadrunners fall in tournament.
Bri Morley had 20 kills to set the Metro State career record with 1,656, but the Roadrunners (24-7), ranked No. 12 in Division II, were swept by No. 9 Southwest Minnesota State (24-6) 25-19, 28-26, 25-22 in the quarterfinals of the NCAA volleyball Central Region tournament in Kearney, Neb.
• Colorado Mines, the No. 8 seed, stunned top seed and host Nebraska-Kearney with a 3-2 (26-24, 25-21, 25-27, 20-25, 15-11) win, advancing the Orediggers to tonight’s semifinal vs. Southwest Minnesota State. Jackie Stabell had 29 kills and 14 digs for Mines, and Melanie Wannamaker added 18 kills and three service aces. AFA wins water polo test.
The Air Force water polo team, ranked No. 20, got goals from 11 players in a 17-1 win over Occidental in the first round of the Western Water Polo Association championship in San Diego. Denver Post staff and wire services
