Discovery Team Gets The Ax..

Bert in France, after climbing L'Alpe D'Huez after the tour ran through hours prior..


***Article courtesy of Bert Blanchette***********




PARIS -- Lance Armstrong's former team is disbanding.

Tailwind Sports, which owns and operates the Discovery Channel team, said Friday it will cease operations at the end of this season.

The statement also suggested that Armstrong's mentor, Johan Bruyneel, who coached him through his record seven Tour de France victories, will retire.

"When I came to direct this team in 1999 I never would have imagined that we could achieve this level of success. It was an amazing time in my life and the lives of all the staff and riders associated with this team," Bruyneel said.

"I'm going to miss the staff, riders and the excitement of the races, but not all the infighting between the teams. This team has become my family and it is very sad to think that we will not be together next season."

Alberto Contador of Spain won this year's Tour de France for Discovery Channel. On Friday, he denied any involvement in doping following accusations he was linked to the Operation Puerto drug investigation.