Armstrong, RadioShack fined over Tour jersey row

Sun October 31 2010
Posted Nov 1, 2010
7,788

Aigle, Switzerland (AP) Lance Armstrong, his RadioShack teammates and team manager Johan Bruyneel were fined by cyclingâ€™s governing body Friday because the riders wore unauthorized jerseys on the final stage of this yearâ€™s Tour de France. The International Cycling Union fined Armstrong and his teammates $2,540 each for wearing black jerseys with â€œ28â€ on the back to support the Texanâ€™s Livestrong Foundation. RadioShack did not ask for permission to change its uniform during the July stage and a dispute with race officials delayed the start by 20 minutes while the riders changed into approved jerseys. Bruyneel was fined $10,167 and suspended for two months next season. The UCI ruled he insulted race officials by writing a message on Twitter that they â€œdonâ€™t need brains.â€ Bruyneel soon removed the post and apologized. Bruyneel is suspended for February and March, meaning he can work with Armstrong during the Tour Down Under from Jan. 16-23, scheduled to be the seven-time Tour winnerâ€™s farewell professional race. RadioShackâ€™s sporting directors at the Tour were each fined $5,084 Swiss francs. The â€œ28â€ on the jersey was chosen to honor 28 million people fighting cancer, one of the themes Armstrongâ€™s Livestrong Foundation focuses on. In a separate hearing, the UCI gave Quick Step rider Carlos Barredo a two-month suspension for damaging cyclingâ€™s image. Barredo fought with race rival Rui Costa and threatened to hit him with a wheel after the two clashed during the sixth stage. The 29-year-old Spaniard will serve his ban in January and February after joining the Rabobank team.