Cycling Manager Bruyneel Goes for Arbitration Hearing Over Ban

Johan Bruyneel, the RadioShack Nissan Trek cycling team manager accused of participating in a doping conspiracy with Lance Armstrong, has decided to have his case heard by an independent panel of arbitrators.

During the hearing, which Bruyneel chose rather than accept a lifetime ban from the sport, all evidence will be presented and witness testimony will be under oath and subject to cross examination, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said in a statement.

Bruyneel, two doctors and a trainer who were a part of the U.S. Postal Service’s pro cycling team are accused by Colorado Springs, Colorado-based USADA of planning the use of banned drugs and doping methods by their team, while Armstrong is accused by the agency of using banned drugs and plotting the use of such substances by his teammates.

The two doctors, Luis Garcia del Moral and Michele Ferrari, and trainer Jose “Pepe” Marti were given lifetime bans from the sport on July 10. Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner who could be stripped of his titles, filed a lawsuit seeking to block USADA’s actions.

Armstrong two days ago was granted a 30-day extension by USADA to decide whether he will continue to contest the accusations.

To contact the reporter on this story: Mason Levinson in New York at mlevinson@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net.

Enlarge image

Johan Bruyneel and Lance Armstrong

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Lance Armstrong speaks with Johan Bruyneel before the start of stage six of the 2009 Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia, on January 25, 2009.

Lance Armstrong speaks with Johan Bruyneel before the start of stage six of the 2009 Tour Down Under in Adelaide, Australia, on January 25, 2009. Photographer: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images