Bruyneel calls UCI 'hypocrites' after official press release about Tour visit, Vive le Vélo explains invitation

The UCI released a detailed statement on Tuesday evening, following Stage 16 of the Tour de France: “The UCI has taken note of the presence of Mr. Johan Bruyneel in the Tour de France start village on July 17, 2025, in connection with his appearance on Vive le Vélo. On October 25, 2018, Mr. Bruyneel was sanctioned by the CAS with a lifetime ban for violating anti-doping rules during his tenure with US Postal Service and Discovery Channel.”

The UCI emphasized that Bruyneel’s ban is official in nature and far-reaching: “He is prohibited from being involved in any cycling activities. While he is free to attend events like the Tour de France as a regular spectator, it is strictly forbidden for him to enter areas that are closed to the general public. This includes any Tour de France zones requiring accreditation.”

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For that reason, the UCI took issue with Tour de France organizer ASO and asked how Bruyneel managed to enter areas closed to the public. “Mr. Bruyneel did not have the right to be present in the start village or the team area of the Tour de France. The UCI stresses that it is not responsible for the accreditation process of the Tour de France. However, the UCI confirms that it has contacted ASO to request clarification.”

The UCI is very keen to know whether Bruyneel obtained accreditation and, if so, how and why. “We want to understand how this could have happened and ensure that no other accreditations are ever granted to him. The UCI is closely monitoring this case and will take all necessary measures.”

In a quick response on his social channels, Bruyneel’s words dripped with cynicism. “It seems that the president of the UCI, David “The Selfie King” Lappartient, didn’t like the fact that I visited the Tour de France last week. I’ve said already many times, also to him personally, that I find his attitude being one of hypocrisy. After receiving this press statement, I have contacted him personally again, but he hasn’t responded (yet).

Regarding his visit to the Tour, Bruyneel said: "I hereby want to reiterate how pleasant it felt to have been present at the Tour and really appreciated the many warm welcome gestures from the many people I have met at this occasion." Karl Vannieuwkerke, host of Vive le Vélo, also responded on Tuesday evening: “We requested accreditation for Johan Bruyneel as we always do, and there were never any issues. Bruyneel is therefore accredited by the ASO.”

The Tour organization did not object to Bruyneel's presence, and Vannieuwkerke understands that. "He is now a public figure with his own podcast and an opinion about cycling. He also has a past, and we really wanted to invite him to talk about that part of his life. He did so, and the necessary questions were asked. Bruyneel also responded and apologized for his arrogance during his doping past."