"Lappartient maintains close ties with dictators": Bruyneel won’t let UCI controversy rest after Tour appearance

“The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) noted the presence of Mr Johan Bruyneel in the Tour de France start village on July 17, 2025 in connection with his participation in Vive le vélo, a programme broadcast by the Flemish-language Belgian public television channel VRT1,” the cycling union announced in an official press release. “On October 25 2018, Mr Bruyneel was sanctioned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with a life ban for anti-doping rules violations when he worked with the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team and the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team.”

“In accordance with Article 10.14 of the World Anti-Doping Code and the UCI Anti-Doping Rules, Mr Bruyneel is banned for life from taking part in any activity related to cycling,” the statement continued. “Mr Bruyneel was therefore not authorised to be present in the Tour de France start village or team area, but the UCI adds that it is not responsible for the accreditation process for the Tour de France. The UCI confirms that it has contacted the ASO to ask for clarification.'

Bruyneel responded cynically. “It seems that the president of the UCI, David ‘The Selfie King’ Lappartient, didn't like me visiting the Tour de France last week. I have said many times, including to him personally, that I find his attitude hypocritical. I sent him a personal message after the press release and he has not yet responded. I am waiting for your reply on WhatsApp.”

That response did not seem likely to come, so Bruyneel decided on Tuesday to add fuel to the fire via X. In a lengthy statement, the Belgian expresses his disappointment. "It is disappointing to see the President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Mr. David Lappartient, publicly and heavily object to my presence at the start of a stage at the recent Tour de France - where I participated solely in a media capacity - while at the same time maintaining close ties with political leaders (dictators) whose records on human rights are deeply troubling."

"Mr. Lappartient has appeared publicly alongside President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and former President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow of Turkmenistan, two heads of state widely criticized by international human rights organizations for systemic violations of fundamental freedoms. Despite this, both have been welcomed by the UCI, decorated with awards, and actively involved in high-profile partnerships within the cycling world."

"This inconsistency raises serious questions about the standards the UCI and Lappartient applies - and to whom. If the UCI leadership is comfortable honoring authoritarian regimes with well-documented human rights abuses, then singling out my presence at a sporting event as unacceptable seems not only hypocritical but politically motivated. Cycling deserves leadership that applies its values consistently, without double standards or selective outrage.”