Tour de France receives warning from UCI about unauthorized accreditation for Lance Armstrong's ex-manager Johan Bruyneel
Banned Cycling Manager Johan Bruyneel Prohibited from Accredited Areas at Tour de France
Johan Bruyneel, the former manager of Lance Armstrong, has been barred from accessing accredited areas at the Tour de France, following a lifetime ban from all cycling-related activities imposed by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) due to doping violations.
On Tuesday evening, the UCI reiterated Bruyneel's ban from any activity related to cycling, stating that he should never have been allowed access to the Tour de France's accredited areas[1]. This ban applies to areas such as team areas, the "parc fermé," and any other sections requiring official accreditation.
Despite this, Bruyneel was present at the Tour de France start village on July 17, 2025, which was against the rules of his ban[2]. It is unclear how he managed to gain access to these restricted zones, but the UCI has contacted Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the Tour de France organiser, to clarify the matter[1].
Bruyneel's ban was initially imposed by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) in 2012, following anti-doping rules violations when he worked with the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team and the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team[9]. The ban was later increased to a lifetime ban by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in 2018[7].
Bruyneel was also a guest on the VRT programme Vive le Vélo during stage 12 of the Tour de France[8]. Leendert Derck, the programme's editor-in-chief, stated that they carefully considered inviting Bruyneel, but made it clear that questions about his past will arise[6].
The UCI is closely monitoring the situation and will take all appropriate measures to ensure that Bruyneel does not gain unauthorised access to accredited areas at the Tour de France[4]. The governing body is committed to protecting the integrity of the sport and preventing banned individuals from gaining official access[1].
References:
- UCI statement on Bruyneel's ban
- Bruyneel present at Tour de France start village
- UCI clarifies Bruyneel's ban
- UCI statement on Bruyneel's presence at Tour de France
- Bruyneel appeals initial ban
- Bruyneel on Vive le Vélo
- CAS increases Bruyneel's ban to lifetime
- Bruyneel guest on Vive le Vélo
- Bruyneel banned for doping violations
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