Johan Bruyneel ties up a few loose ends before the start of stage one.(Image credit: Stephen McMahon)
Johan Bruyneel will attempt to work the oracle with Andy Schleck in 2012.(Image credit: Barry Ryan)
Andreas Klöden has been with Johan Bruyneel since 2008(Image credit: Barry Ryan)
The Radioshack-Nissan-Trek team has confirmed that Johan Bruyneel has been dismissed from his role as general manager of the team as a consequence of the USADA doping investigation and the revelations of the USADA reasoned decision documents.
“Acting in mutual agreement, on October 12 Leopard SA and Johan Bruyneel decided to end their collaboration. From this day on, Johan Bruyneel will no longer act in the position of General Manager of cycling team RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK,” a statement from the Luxembourg-based team reads.
“The Reasoned Decision published by the USADA included a number of testimonies as a result of their investigation. In light of these testimonies, both parties feel it is necessary to make this decision since Johan Bruyneel can no longer direct the Team in an efficient and comfortable way. His departure is desirable to ensure the serenity and cohesiveness within the Team.”
“RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK wishes to thank Johan Bruyneel for his dedication and devotion since his arrival in the Team.”
"The USADA investigation does not concern the activities of Mr. Bruyneel while managing the RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK Team. Johan Bruyneel contests the validity of the procedure as well as the charges against him."
The Radioshack-Nissan-Trek team described Bruyneel as the most successful directeur sportif in cycling history, but seven of the Tour de France victories he helped to direct are set to be nullified. It appears that Bruyneel’s role in cycling has now been consigned to history.
Bruyneel managed Lance Armstrong's teams throughout the height of the Texan’s career after his own racing career with the ONCE team. He has been accused by the USADA report of playing an active part in the doping schemes that allowed him to win seven Tours de France. The Belgian Cycling federation is currently investigating the charges put forward by USADA, and could hand Bruyneel a lifetime ban.
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USADA's reasoned decision in the Armstrong case described Bruyneel as a key player in the organised doping which took place at the US Postal Service and Discovery Channel teams. Bruyneel has constantly denied such charges.
The overwhelming evidence in this case is that Johan Bruyneel was intimately involved in all significant details of the U.S. Postal team’s doping program. "He alerted the team to the likely presence of testers. He communicated with Dr. Ferrari about his stars’ doping programs," the document said.
"He was on top of the details for organizing blood transfusion programs before the major Tours, and he knew when athletes needed to take EPO to regenerate their blood supply after extracting blood. He was present when blood transfusions were given. He even personally provided drugs to the riders on occasion."
In a message on his personal website, Bruyneel said he was stepping back from the role of team manager to prepare for his impending arbitration case with USADA. He claimed that USADA's decision to publish information from their investigation may have prejudiced his case.
"I have decided to step back from my official team activities in order to concentrate on my defence, and in order to shield the RadioShack - Nissan - Trek cycling team from unnecessary distractions," he said.
Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the Cyclingnews team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at Cyclingnews. He has previously worked for Shift Active Media, Reuters and Cycling Weekly. He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).
