Cycling fans were left stunned this week after a viral photo emerged of Lance Armstrong and Johan Bruyneel together in Tirana, Albania—just days before the 2025 Giro d’Italia is set to begin. The image, showing the disgraced duo smiling and posing with event staff, has ignited a firestorm of criticism across social media, with many questioning why the sport’s most controversial figures were even present at one of cycling’s most prestigious events.
The 2025 edition of the Giro will make history by starting in Albania for the first time, with the opening three stages unfolding across the Balkan nation before the peloton moves to Italy. But any excitement about the new location has been overshadowed by the unexpected presence of Armstrong and Bruyneel, whose reputations remain heavily tarnished following the doping scandals that rocked the cycling world over a decade ago.
Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner stripped of all his titles for orchestrating a sophisticated doping program, has rarely appeared at major cycling events in an official capacity since his fall from grace. Bruyneel, his former team manager and partner in scandal, was also banned for life by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Their sudden reappearance has drawn widespread backlash, particularly from clean-riding advocates and former pros who feel the sport should not offer them any platform.
“They should be nowhere near this race,” tweeted one former cyclist. “Their presence disrespects every clean rider in the peloton today.” Others echoed the sentiment, accusing Giro organizers of courting controversy and prioritizing headlines over integrity. Neither Armstrong nor Bruyneel has commented publicly on their attendance, but sources suggest they were invited as “special guests” by a regional sponsor linked to the Albanian stages.
The timing of the controversy couldn’t be worse. The Giro d’Italia has been working hard to rebuild its image and reinforce a message of clean competition. Organizers had hoped that the race’s dramatic start in Albania and historic finish in Rome would capture global attention. Instead, cycling forums and sports media have been consumed by debates over whether Armstrong and Bruyneel deserve any form of rehabilitation.
Adding fuel to the fire, some fans argue that Armstrong has been making a slow return to the spotlight in recent years through podcasts, media appearances, and business ventures. Still, critics say there’s a big difference between speaking out and being given front-row access to one of the sport’s Grand Tours. Bruyneel, who recently opened up in interviews about the era of doping, had expressed regret—but even that hasn’t softened public opinion.
“Cycling can’t afford to keep reopening old wounds,” said a prominent European journalist. “This photo may have been unintentional, but the damage is done. It hijacked the narrative of the entire Giro.” Several current riders also declined to comment directly but made pointed remarks about the need to focus on the present and future of clean racing.
As the race prepares to roll out from Tirana on May 9, questions remain: Were Armstrong and Bruyneel officially invited by the Giro’s organizing committee, or was this a rogue sponsorship move? Will the backlash force organizers to issue a statement or even rescind their presence at future stages? For now, fans are watching not just the riders—but the drama unfolding behind the scenes.
Whether it was a publicity stunt or a serious misjudgment, the viral photo has reignited old debates in the cycling world. And as the peloton heads toward the Eternal City of Rome for its final stage, it seems the shadows of the past are once again riding alongside the sport’s brightest talents.