Dane Michael Rasmussen is gearing up for a comeback after signing a one-year contract with small Italian team Miche Silver Cross.

Rasmussen led the 2007 Tour de France when he was kicked off his Rabobank team for lying about his whereabouts when he missed pre-race doping tests. He was eventually given a two-year ban for avoiding drug tests, and hasn't competed since.

Danish newspaper Politiken reported Friday that Rasmussen signed a contract with Miche this month and will make his debut next week in Argentina's Tour de San Luis.

Rasmussen told the newspaper that he had hoped for a comeback at "a higher level," but that "there is so much hypocrisy in cycling, so it was not possible."