A Danish watch designer has named former Tour de France yellow jersey holder Michael Rasmussen of Denmark captain of a new cycling team.

Christina Hembo said Wednesday her company had bought 100 percent of a UCI-registered professional continental team and the new outfit will be known as Team Christina Watches.

The second-tier UCI professional continental teams can compete in events like the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia, and the Vuelta a Espana, but need to be invited by race organizers.

Rasmussen led cycling's showcase race in 2007 until he was kicked off his Dutch Rabobank team for lying about his training whereabouts. He was banned for two years.

The 36-year-old Dane returned to the sport in 2009 and has been racing with Hembo as his personal sponsor since July.