Nearly seven years into his lifetime ban for his position in doping by Lance Armstrong and his US Postal Service teammates between 1999 and 2005, Johan Bruyneel was again on the Tour de France final week as a visitor of the Flemish tv channel VRT1 and the Vive le vélo present, hosted by Karl Vannieuwkerke.
Bruyneel was current in Auch at the beginning of Thursday’s stage to Hautacam, and posted photographs on Instagram of him in entrance of a board itemizing all the winners of the Tour de France. The board nonetheless lists Lance Armstrong because the winner from 1999 to 2005 regardless of the American being stripped of these titles by the UCI.
“Swung by the Tour de France final Thursday within the Pyrenees for the Hautacam stage,” Bruyneel wrote. “Frolicked on the Village Départ, wandered previous the crew buses, and stated hello to half the peloton (or not less than it felt prefer it). Nice to meet up with outdated pals, acquainted faces, and loads of tales. Nonetheless the identical wonderful vitality.”
Nonetheless, the nice and cozy emotions evaporated on Tuesday after the UCI issued a press launch slamming Tour organisers ASO for offering a credential to the banned Belgian.
“As an individual serving a lifetime ban, Mr Bruyneel was due to this fact not authorised to be current within the Tour de France begin village or crew space,” the UCI assertion learn.
“On October 25, 2018, Mr Bruyneel was sanctioned by the Courtroom of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with a life ban for anti-doping guidelines violations when he labored with the US Postal Service Professional Biking Crew and the Discovery Channel Professional Biking Crew.
“In accordance with Article 10.14 of the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Guidelines, Mr Bruyneel is banned for all times from collaborating in any exercise associated to biking. Whereas he’s free to attend a biking occasion registered on the UCI Worldwide Calendar – such because the Tour de France – as a daily spectator, he’s strictly prohibited from taking part within the occasion in any position or capability, or from accessing areas which might be closed to the general public. This consists of, specifically, areas of the Tour de France that require accreditation.”
Accreditation on the Tour de France is dealt with by ASO, which the UCI identified.
“The UCI confirms that it has contacted ASO to make clear whether or not Mr Bruyneel was granted an official accreditation, to grasp how this might have occurred, and to make sure that no additional accreditation can be issued to him,” the UCI acknowledged. “The UCI stresses that it’s intently following this matter and can take all applicable measures.”
Bruyneel was defiant after studying of the UCI’s objections.
“Evidently the president of the UCI, David ‘the Selfie King’ Lappartient, did not like the truth that I visited the Tour de France final week. I’ve stated already many instances, additionally to him personally, that I discover his angle being one among hypocrisy. After receiving this press assertion, I’ve contacted him personally once more, however he hasn’t responded (but).
“I hereby need to reiterate how nice it felt to have been current on the Tour and actually appreciated the numerous heat welcome gestures from the many individuals I’ve met at this event. I am ready to your reply to my messages on my WhatsApp, @DLappartient.”
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