The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has noted the presence of Johan Bruyneel in the Tour de France starting village on July 17, 2025 in relation to his participation in Vive le vélo, a program broadcast by the Flemish public television channel VRT1.

On October 25, 2018, Mr. Bruyneel was sanctioned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) with a lifetime ban for anti-doping rule violations when he worked with the United States 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 UCI anti-doping rules, Mr. Bruyneel is permanently prohibited from participating in any cycling-related activities. While he is free to attend a UCI International Calendar event - such as the Tour de France - as a regular spectator, he is strictly forbidden from participating in the event in any capacity or accessing areas closed to the public. This specifically includes Tour de France areas requiring accreditation.

As a person serving a lifetime ban, Mr. Bruyneel was therefore not authorized to be present in the Tour de France starting village or in the team area.

The UCI wishes to add that the accreditation process for the Tour de France is not its responsibility, but rather that of Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), the race organizer. The UCI confirms that it has contacted ASO to clarify whether Mr. Bruyneel was granted official accreditation, to understand how this could have happened, and to ensure that no further accreditation will be issued to him.

The UCI emphasizes that it is closely monitoring the situation and will take all appropriate measures.

No further comments will be made on this matter.