Johan Bruyneel has less than a week to get his paperwork in order to show that he is being persecuted unfairly and that he should be allowed to be involved in the sport of cycling. His arbitration hearing is scheduled to start on December 16 in London. Anyone want to make bets whether he shows up to defend himself against the charges?
I really don’t see that happening. But, Johan is a peculiar dude, so it’s not a given. I’m assuming that USADA has all their witnesses ready to testify, so I think that Johan is going to battling an uphill battle here.
Johan has been pretty invisible the last few months. He’s tweeted a few choice thoughts and did an interview with Luxembourg television station RTL where he said, “Regardless of the outcome of the USADA investigation or any charges against me, I’ve made the decision that I’m pretty much done with cycling because I don’t see a change.”
I would love to hear the “change” that Johan would like to see happen that would make him reconsider his decision to NOT leave the sport. I can’t think of a realistic one. But, it is not really an issue, because I think there is pretty much a zero percent chance that Johan is going to have the ability to make that choice.
Johan is going to write his own book. I assume if he went to the arbitration hearing, there would be a bunch of “secrets” made public that would detract from his book sales. So, he has a financial incentive to keep quiet until his tell-all book hits the shelves. I read somewhere that it is tentatively being named “Poker Face”. I’m wondering if he thinks that title best describes his personality trait that made him a great team director. I can come up with a ton better titles that I think would be much more accurate, but probably should keep those to myself.
Back in the good ‘ol days.
1995 tour, stage 7 into liege tells everything you need to know about bruneel. i totally understand the circumstance, but he never contributed a thing in a 2 man break with indurain and yet didn’t have the class to resist jumping him @ 100 meters, and has the balls to throw his arms. what a chump.
“But, it is not really an issue, because I think there is pretty much a zero percent chance that Johan is going to have the ability to make that choice. “= You can’t fire me, I quit!
What a great picture of two of the most important “heroes” in the sport of cycling!
Looks like they’re having great time too in that Lear Jet.
So, so true. It’s a shame more of the history of the sport like this example is not available.
The hearing might be anti-climactic. Given this is pro cycling, I wonder how much money Johan charged to keep some controversial allegations quiet.
yeah, and I think it’s funny that Lance’s biggest regret is that he came back to the Tour. Not that he cheated or ruined people’s lives… he’s just bummed he didn’t get away with it…
When are you going to have Och over? I bet if you ply him with some wine and put a kitten in his lap he will tell you all you want to know. I am all for being tough on Johan as he’s earned it but you really should spread it around. We all know why you won’t broach the question but with all the info of the past 18 months it is an elephant in the room. Och was Hein’s broker don’t you know ….among a few other things according to some sources
Not trying to be mean but it is out there
It would be pretty damn funny if he had documented “proof” of lies that the witnesses told the USADA to minimize their involvement in doping. I’m sure that they didn’t spill all of their dirty secrets.
On the other hand, maybe he’ll claim that Lance made him do it.
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?????
If Indurain wanted to win the stage it was 100% his responsibility to drop the better sprinter that tagged along. And if Bruyneel had contributed to the move he’d have been helping to put time into his teammates that eventually finished 2nd and 4th. Same thing with the bonus seconds for the stage win, it was his responsibility to take those. Sheesh. Indurain *certainly* understood that.
?????
If Indurain wanted to win the stage it was 100% his responsibility to drop the better sprinter that tagged along. And if Bruyneel had contributed to the move he’d have been helping to put time into his teammates that eventually finished 2nd and 4th. Same thing with the bonus seconds for the stage win, it was his responsibility to take those. Sheesh. Indurain *certainly* understood that.
i said i got the circumstance – it’s still a classless move, as most everyone who’s raced will acknowledge.
As you wrote in your next post, Johan is none the poorer for any of his actions.
He can walk away tomorrow and has more than enough money to support himself for the rest of his life.