The presence of Johan Bruyneel on the Tour de France 2025 earned a strong reaction from the UCI and puts the organizers in embarrassment.
Former Armstrong Lance manager and suspended for life in October 2018 for violation of anti -doping rules, Johan Bruyneel made a remarkable appearance at the start of the 12th stage of the Tour de France last week. And the presence of the former boss of the US Postal has gone all the less unnoticed as his presence in the departure village goes against his ban pronounced by the UCI and confirmed in 2018 by the Arbitral Tribunal of Sport.
“If it is free to attend a cycling event recorded on the UCI international calendar such as the Tour de France, like any other spectator, he cannot, on the other hand, participate in the test, in any function or in any quality whatsoever, nor access areas not accessible to the public”, took care to recall the UCI in a press release.
“Being suspended for life, Mr. Bruyneel was therefore not allowed to be present in the departure village, nor in the space of the teams of the Tour de France”, continued the international body, surprising that the former Lance Boss Armstrong could have had “Access to the Tour de France areas requiring accreditation”.
ASO in Bla’s bie by Custify Jehan Bruenence
The UCI therefore turned to Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), organizer of the Grande Boucle, “In order to clarify if Mr. Bruyneel had been granted official accreditation, to understand how it could happen and to ensure that no other accreditation will no longer be issued to him. »»
The press release published by the UCI did not fail to react the interested party, at the war open against the International Federation and its President, David Lappartient. “It seems that the president of the UCI, David ‘The Selfie King’ Lappartient, did not appreciate the fact that I visited the Tour de France last week, he said. I have already said on several occasions, including him personally, that I found his hypocritical attitude. After seeing this press release, I contacted him again personally, but he has not (yet) answered. By the present, I would like to reiterate how pleasant it was to be present on the Tour and say that I really enjoyed the many warm welcome gestures from the many people I met on this occasion. »»
At the origin of the presence of Johan Bruyneel on the Tour, Karl Vannieuwkerke, presenter of the Vive le Vélo program, said he had no harm to accredit the former runner.
“We asked for accreditation for Johan Bruyneel as we always do and we were not made the slightest comment. Johan Bruyneel was therefore accredited by ASO,
he explained. He is a public character, with his own podcast and with an opinion on the race. He also has a past, and we also wanted to invite him to evoke this past. The questions that were to be asked were asked. Johan Bruyneel replied and he apologized for his arrogance during this period. He was suspended for life, he pleaded guilty and he accepted his sanction. We believe that it is our right and our duty to ask him questions. »»
