Professional Cycling For the Fans - Johan "Fined"

Johan and the team car have been religated to the last car. The reasoning is that he was seen to be blocking a camera motercycle from going around him following LA.This was seen as a dangerous move.

I don't get it, just fine him $$$. Don't penalize the riders for a move done in a car. Now the team has to wait a long time to get help. Seems like a way to hinder the efforts of the Posties than to teach Johan a lesson. :mad:

Anyone have any idea how long this sanction will be in effect?

Should be just today. What do you think will teach a team with the financial resources like Postal more: a fine of around 500 Euros (about the maximum fine for infractions) or something that could impact their ability to quickly help their riders? The race director has to be able to control all of the cars and support vehicles.

Should be just today. What do you think will teach a team with the financial resources like Postal more: a fine of around 500 Euros (about the maximum fine for infractions) or something that could impact their ability to quickly help their riders? The race director has to be able to control all of the cars and support vehicles.


Actually I think fining Johan would be more effective..not team Postal...Johan personally. I understand that they ahve to have control of the team cars, but don't mess with the riders when it had nothing to do with their actions. It was the actions of one man and he should have to pay the fine from his own finds.

This might help explain what happened, from cyclingnews.com:


The race jury ruled that Bruyneel hindered a TV cameraman that was filming Armstrong near the start of the climb. But Bruyneel argued that he had a prior agreement to be there, and finally persuaded the jury to reinstate him at the front of the caravan before the start today.

"There was an agreement before the race with Jean-Marie Leblanc and John Lelangue that for security reasons, I would go directly behind Lance until the barriers," Bruyneel explained to Cyclingnews today. When the car is directly behind the rider, it opens the road a lot more than when there's a motorcycle behind.

"France TV knew of that agreement. It was reconfirmed right before the start. But 300m into the race, France TV put its motorbike between me and Lance. I tried to get around, but he wouldn't let me pass. And at one point I came alongside the motorcycle and took my place. The commissaire and president of the jury (Mirco Monti) didn't agree with that manoeuvre and probably French TV made a complaint to the jury about dangerous driving.

Now I am confused. Al and Bob (if memory serves me right) were the ones that said he was at the end. The article seems to state that Bruyneel was indeed behind the official Tour commissioner's car.

So was he at the end or not? I understand the idea of the car opening up more room. Wish everyone had thought of that.

They should have traded in their regular team support car for a Hummer. Now that would have opened up some room!

Now I am confused. Al and Bob (if memory serves me right) were the ones that said he was at the end. The article seems to state that Bruyneel was indeed behind the official Tour commissioner's car.

So was he at the end or not? I understand the idea of the car opening up more room. Wish everyone had thought of that.

He was at the end today. Yesterday he was/wanted to be right behind Lance until they arrived at the barriers for security/to help spread the crowd for Lance. The television motorcycle cut in front of the car, which normally would be fine, but Johan thought he had an agreement with the organizers, which he tried to explain post race. The president of the jury ruled against Johan on his own.