"Another reminder that he has no real understanding of how professional cycling actually works" - Bruyneel goes after UCI president Lappartient once again

In a recent interview, UCI president David Lappartient that it is an idea that is on the table to increase the number of teams at the Tour de France, but potentially reducing the lineups to six riders also looking to create more uncontrollable and attractive races. Former team manager Johan Bruyneel has argued this is an idea that shows the disconnection with the sport's needs.

Recently, one more team has been allowed to participate at the Tour, increasing the number of teams from 22 to 23, whilst the number of riders has descended from nine to eight also since 2018. Last decade, there had been ideas and even measures to change the way of racing at the Tour, due to the dominance of - at the time - Team Sky in the race.

With Tadej Pogacar and Jonas Vingegaard finishing first and second on every edition since 2021, there has been a feeling of monotony amongst fans, but not only.

“Is it really sensible to limit the Tour de France to 22 or 23 teams of eight riders each? That allows the strongest teams to control a 3,500-kilometre race from start to finish. With 25 teams of six riders each, the race would become less predictable and far more spectacular," Lappartient said recently.

On the other side, former team manager Johan Bruyneel, who managed Lance Armstrong through his Tour de France-winning years, has hit out at Lappartient once again.

"There has never been a president of cycling more disconnected from the sport than David Lappartient. His latest idea? 3 week Grand Tours with 6-rider teams. It’s another reminder that he has no real understanding of how professional cycling actually works," he argued.

Bruyneel's criticism of Lappartient are frequent, and in this instance he believes that there is a disconnection between the necessary changes and the ones that are suggested. "Instead of trying to reinvent a sport he clearly doesn’t understand, perhaps Mr. Teflon Lappartient should stick to what he’s best known for: taking selfies and doing dubious deals with heads of state".