Anabolic Steroids Blog - iSteroids . com » Johan Bruyneel Supports Armstrong’s Anti-doping Control

Johan Bruyneel Supports Armstrong’s Anti-doping Control Lance Armstrong’s team manager and longtime friend Johan Bruyneel comes forward to support the champion’s denial of thwarting anti-doping control issue. Bruyneel strongly disputed the report that stated that the legendary cyclist deliberately stalled a representative of the French anti-doping agency (AFLD) during an out-of-competition test on March 17 this year.

Bruyneel stated that both, he and Armstrong were returning from a training session when they met the AFLD tester, who was waiting outside the cyclist’s home in Beaulieu-sur-Mer.

Various unsourced reports on several French Web sites and Radio Monte Carlo stated that Armstrong made the doctor, sent by the AFLD, waiting for 30 minutes behind a closed door before giving samples. The French daily sports newspaper L’Equipe also reported that the AFLD had filed a report in regard of the incident and also forwarded it to the UCI and WADA. During the incident, the cyclist was training in southern France for Milan-San Remo one-day race.

From ESPN:

Lance Armstrong’s team manager and longtime friend Johan Bruyneel on Monday strongly disputed a report that the cyclist deliberately stalled a representative of the French anti-doping agency (AFLD) during an out-of-competition test on March 17.

Armstrong was training in southern France at the time in preparation for the Milan-San Remo one-day race. Unsourced reports on several French Web sites and Radio Monte Carlo stated that Armstrong kept the doctor sent by the AFLD waiting for 30 minutes behind a closed door before giving samples. The French daily sports newspaper L’Equipe reported that the AFLD had filed a report about the incident and forwarded it to the UCI, cycling’s international governing body, and WADA.

AFLD head Pierre Bordry would not confirm any details about the report. “I am not making any judgment on what is in the report, because I’m not certain that it’s an infraction,” Bordry told ESPN.com.

Bordry said he was still awaiting a formal response from the UCI, but federation spokesman Enrico Carpani told ESPN.com that the UCI has no jurisdiction over this kind of issue. “The rules are very clear,” Carpani said. “Any out-of-competition control made by a national anti-doping agency has to be managed by them.”

However, AFLD head Pierre Bordry did not confirm any details about the report. Bordry said, “I am not making any judgment on what is in the report, because I’m not certain that it’s an infraction.” He also said that he was waiting for a formal response from the UCI, an international cycling governing body. But, federation spokesman Enrico Carpani said that the UCI has no jurisdiction over this kind of issue. Carpani further added, “Any out-of-competition control made by a national anti-doping agency has to be managed by them.”

According to the law, the AFLD has the authority to test athletes, who are covered by the WADA code and are in France for any reason. The March training period was the cyclist’s first visit to the country as an active athlete after he made a comeback from his retirement. Since then, Armstrong has been tested several times by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

Earlier also this seven-time Tour de France winner had defended himself against doping allegations throughout his career. He told his online fans that it was his 24th anti-doping control test since his comeback after a three-year retirement. “Yet another ’surprise’ anti-doping control,’” he said via Twitter. “This one from the French authorities. Urine, blood and hair! Classic, “he says. Armstrong further added that he was clear and was not complaining about these tests.

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