Johan Bruyneel Quotes (32 Quotes)

It's unbelievable what Lance did today. It's undoubtedly a good operation.

We attacked all the time and I think we have to accept we were beaten by a very solid Landis. Floyd was just strong than we expected.

I think if you have to name five names, as of today, he is one of them.

It's not easy to plan but I think we calculated it well and the guys have confidence that their form is coming.

his two wins in Benelux were nice but this is something else. It's great for his morale and for the team's morale. Before the race began, I stated our goal is to win two stages. It's not easy to win but hopefully we can fulfil the goal.

I'm conscious Lance won seven Tour de France titles and owes a lot to the race. But at the same time, the Tour de France became more important with an American who won seven Tours.

We didn't really look for somebody to replace him. For one, there is nobody - not a strong leader like he was. Without him, we have a very good team, but not the favourites.

I'm a little surprised that Lance was ignored like this. He won this race seven times in a row, no one has done this before. The Tour helped him become what he is now.

I'm more satisfied than at this time last year. If I had to give him a mark, it would be B plus.

Another issue here is that the code of ethics, the proper protocols were not followed properly in this matter. The only purpose is to damage Lance's image. Normally, a matter like this is handled via the correct organs of the sport, not just published in a newspaper with leaked information. But we've been through all of this before, so many accusations. So it's not a surprise. We're used to it.

I feel like with have a really strong team but without Lance, it's going to take some time and some races to get used to him not being here. It will be big challenge for me. I think in a few years we will have another strong leader at the head of this team and I think we have a few that are here now and are ready to step up into that role.

Everyone has to judge for themselves, ... Lance realizes where he is now is because of the Tour de France and what the race has given him. I think he's also given a lot back and that the Tour wouldn't be where it is today without a big U.S. champion. It's sad that certain people cannot recognize that.

I think he's been very offended, ... If you know him, he doesn't need a lot to find some motivation. I think it woke up the competitive side of him.

It's good for the motivation of the team. It was good to have him around.

His performance was a remarkable turnaround by a man whose life has been defined by a remarkable turnaround, his recovery from cancer. Yes, Armstrong won this race a year ago, but just barely, by 61 seconds. Although Ullrich crashed in the final time trial -- taking out a row of hay bales in the pouring rain -- it was the Texan who appeared to be on the slippery slope. His powers seemed to be waning. It was a very serious wake-up call, ... I think he took a few things for granted last year.

This time trial was really the stage that mattered, the real test for us. And from what I saw, we have every reason to be satisfied.

He proved in the past that he can deal with that. He is at his maximum under pressure,

This is a transition year, not in terms of being competitive but in going from being Lance's team to being a team without Lance. The goals will remain unchanged. Even without Lance, when I look at the guys here, we have a lot of good bike riders.

I'm sure he could win (another Tour). The way he won this year... everything pretty much under control and he never showed any weakness. He has another Tour in his legs yet.

He began training again three weeks after the Tour de France ended. It is clear he is hungry for cycling. ... He could feel a need to prove to the world he is the strongest and that it isn't due to any banned substance.

I'm not counting out anything. With what's happened in France, he would have a little extra motivation.

There's still some work ahead of us but the timing is right, ... his sensations.

It was a very hard stage today. There were four third category climbs in the beginning part but in the last part, it all came back together. We knew it was a good finish for Max as it was slightly uphill at the finish.

He absolutely wants to be part of the training camp in December, and wants to get fit to compete with the guys there.

It is always easy to look back and say I could have done this or that. It does not work that way. Cycling is not a science you try to be the strongest on the road. We tried to follow the plan, and Floyd was stronger than we expected, and we have to accept that. We have no regrets.

Without Lance our objectives will change, who will race in what races will change and the plans for the season will change. But we still have a very strong team without him. If you look at our 2005 season and take out what Lance accomplished, basically his Tour victory, this team had an amazing season. It was a season that any team would sign up for before it started.

This year, things were planned a little different. The Tour route is different, with the mountains coming so late, so we are trying to have everyone reach top shape right at the start of the Tour, maybe even a bit later,

I walked away a bit angry, but at the same time, and I have to thank the Tour for this we're more driven than ever before. One of the things Lance passed on to me was to find motivation out of unpleasant things. I walked away thinking about how we are going to try to win the Tour next year.

But don't make me say that Lance has already decided what he will do with the rest of his career. That said, we speak for 15 minutes on the phone every day, and for 13 of those we talk about cycling.

We could decide during our (U.S.) training camp in December, which will be decisive (for the Tour),

I haven't spoken with him today, but it's nothing new. He started training three weeks ago and it shows he's getting a little bored with being retired.

We're definitely not going to sit back and watch. Tomorrow and the day after are two hard stages and I think we can still try to do something. We're going to be aggressive.