McQuaid: USADA report a ‘priority’ for UCI

UCI president Pat McQuaid has said the governing body have received USADA’s reasoned decision document and will make it a “priority” to respond within 21 days.

“The UCI has received the USADA report,” said the Irishman. “We have 21 days to consider it, evaluate it and I have made it a priority within the legal department to get that done and within that 21 days we’ll come back with a decision. It would be wrong of me to second guess or preempt what our lawyers are going to advise us about it. I’m not saying anymore than that.”

Meanwhile, the Radioshack-Nissan-Trek team has confirmed Johan Bruyneel has been dismissed from his role as general manager of the team as a consequence of the USADA doping investigation.

“From this day on, Johan Bruyneel will no longer act in the position of General Manager of cycling team Radioshack Nissan Trek,” a statement from the Luxembourg-based team said last night.

“The Reasoned Decision published by the USADA included a number of testimonies as a result of their investigation. In light of these testimonies, both parties feel it is necessary to make this decision since Johan Bruyneel can no longer direct the Team in an efficient and comfortable way. His departure is desirable to ensure the serenity and cohesiveness within the Team.”

Bruyneel, a former professional rider himself contests the charges against him from USADA and though the Radioshack-Nissan-Trek team described him as the most successful directeur sportif in cycling history, seven of the Tours de France victories he helped to direct are set to be nullified.