• Cycling

RadioShack sack Bruyneel in wake of Armstrong scandal

ESPN staff
October 12, 2012
Johan Bruyneel was Lance Armstrong's team manager at US Postal Service team © PA Photos
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Lance Armstrong's former team manager Johan Bruyneel has left the RadioShack Nissan Trek team by mutual consent following the doping scandal that has engulfed the cycling world.

Bruyneel, who was manager at the US Postal Service Team during Armstrong's seven Tour de France victories, was implicated in the United States Anti-Doping Agency report that claimed Armstrong spearheaded "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen".

The Belgian was also Armstrong's team manager for his Tour de France campaigns in 2009 and 2010 with Astana and RadioShack respectively.

A RadioShack statement said: "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. 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 USADA report said: "The overwhelming evidence in this case is that Johan Bruyneel was intimately involved in all significant details of the US Postal team's doping programme."

Former world time trial champion Fabian Cancellara had questioned his future at the team in the wake of USADA report.

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