Johan Bruyneel accused of possessing and trafficking prohibited substances
Team RadioShack-Nissan is having a dry season with the deteriorating form of its star cyclists, Andy Schleck and Frank Schleck in the first half of the season.
The biggest blow to Team Manager Johan Bruyneel came after Andy Schleck announced his unavailability from the Tour de France 2012.
The cyclist crashed during the stage 4 of the Tour de Suisse and has now briefed that his physical health is not hundred percent to continue the Tour.
However, the most recent shock to the Luxembourg based side, Team RadioShack-Nissan came after the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) accused Johan Bruyneel of trafficking in the prohibited substances.
The accusation can cause Johan a life time ban from the sport and can also end the hopes for Team RadioShack-Nissan in the coming season.
Johan is not the only man in question, Dr. Michele Ferrari, Pepe Marti, Lance Armstrong, Dr. Pedro Celaye and Dr. Luis Garcia del Moral’s name also came up during the investigation.
The news is not yet been publically announced by neither UCI nor the team and even the media have very limited information on the issue.
USADA released a 15-page letter which includes the list of all the illegal methods and products believed to use by various teams before including, Team USPS, Team Astana, Team Discovery Channel and Team RadioShack.
It has been said that the mentioned teams used various methods to avoid EPO detection and Bruyneel’s name came up by a number of riders.
Bruyneel is accused of arranging training plans which encouraged cyclists upon the use of EPO.
The letter also briefs that, “Numerous USPS and Discovery Channel riders have also reported that the frequent use of testosterone patches by team members”.
“And that oral testosterone (pills or oil), testosterone injections or testosterone patches were provided by Johan Bruyneel” and the others”.
“Bruyneel is also named as providing human growth hormone to team members”.
Johan Bruyneel is in deep water since the accusations by USADA and the Belgian is specifically has below charges on him,
The possession of prohibited substance and/or methods. Trafficking of those prohibited substances and methods. The administration or attempted administration of those prohibited substances and methods.
“Assisting, encourage, aiding, abetting covering up and other complicity” involving anti-doping violations.
Aggravating circumstances which would justify a longer period of ineligibility than the standard sanction.
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