Giving an update one day after Lance Armstrong lost several big sponsors over the USADA investigation, Johan Bruyneel has today indicated that he currently has no plans to walk away from the upcoming arbitration hearing. The Belgian has however complained about information relating to him being released as part of Armstrong’s evidence.
“I have received many questions about USADA’s case pending against me, particularly since it published its “Reasoned Decision” last week. However, in deference to the on-going legal proceedings, I will only be able to share my account of events once legal proceedings are over,” he said in a statement on his website. “While I am still stunned that USADA chose to breach the confidentiality of the proceedings it initiated against me, I shall nevertheless not allow myself to be reduced to such tactics.
“In response to recent speculation, I will continue to be involved in legal proceedings relating to USADA’s proposed charges as long as I believe that I am still able to receive a fair hearing and that my defence has not been permanently prejudiced by USADA’s act. However, rest assured that the time will come when I will share with you a balanced account of events.”
Bruyneel has been accused of serious doping offences by multiple individuals, including former riders from the US Postal Service and Discovery Channel teams. Giving their accounts in sworn statements and under potential penalty of perjury if they had lied, they say that he encouraged – and in some cases coerced – riders to take doping products, and also was invovled in the supply and transportation of such mediciations.
If he is found guilty by the independent artibitration panel, he faces a likely lifetime ban from the sport.
Bruyneel’s position within the RadioShack Nissan team was terminated last week due to the USADA investigation and the thousand pages of evidence amassed by the agency.