Tour winner Armstrong feels ‘partly Flemish’

26 July 2005

BRUSSELS — US cyclist Lance Armstrong loudly aplauded Belgium’s assistance after winning his record 7th Tour de France on Sunday.

Armstrong thanked his Belgian team staff in Paris and even admitted he felt “partly Flemish” after eight years of co-operation with team chief Johan Bruyneel and the other staff.

Bruyneel is considered as the tactical brain behind Armstrong’s success, Flemish broadcaster VRT reported on Monday.
 
“I feel as if I’m partly Flemish because of my relationship with Johan [Bruyneel] and the entire staff of the team which is virtually all Belgian,” Armstrong said.

“Yes, the team (Discovery Channel) is American, but I think its heart and soul are Belgian. Belgium is like our home country.”
 
Armstrong even said there would not have been a Tour victory without Discovery team chief Bruyneel.

“Some people don’t give Johan enough respect, but you don’t often become a team director at 35 and win your first Tour de France without a lot of racing experience, intelligence, patience and respect from the riders,” he said.

“He is a great director, but I will remember him as a friend in the first place. There have been small arguments, but no big ones. His advice, counsel and friendship are absolutely critical to me.”

[Copyright Expatica News 2005]

Subject: Belgian news