limerickman said:You'll find that here in Europe the sport has been followed - and will always be followed - regardless of who may or may not be racing.
Mr Bruyneel, given his European nationality, should know this.
Whilst the exploits of the riders contribute to the history of racing, it is the races themselves - the cobbles of P-R, the climbs of Flanders, the challenges of the Giro and the Tour and the Vuelta - the parcours, the atmosphere, the traditions that make racing great. Though there is, of course, a symbiosis between rider and race, it is the race that makes stars of the riders, not the 'star' riders who make the race. Lile Lim says, Bruyneel should know that - but then he has shown his disrespect for the traditions and history of cycling by what he practices, as well as what he preaches.