Nearly seven years after being banned for life for his involvement in the Lance Armstrong and US Postal Service doping scandal, Johan Bruyneel returned to the Tour de France last week as a guest on Flemish television station VRT1's 'Vive le vélo' program.

The former Belgian manager was present in Auch at the start of the stage that finished in Hautacam, posting photos on social media in front of the bulletin board with the list of Tour winners – which still features Armstrong's seven victories, which were later revoked.

His presence, however, did not go unnoticed, triggering a harsh reaction from the UCI which, in a statement, criticised the organisers of the ASO for having provided accreditation to Bruyneel:

'As a person banned for life, Mr Bruyneel was not authorised to be present in the start village or the team area.'

The UCI recalled that "pursuant to Article 10.14 of the World Anti-Doping Code, Bruyneel is banned for life from all cycling-related activities. He may attend an event as a regular spectator but is strictly prohibited from participating in any capacity or accessing areas closed to the public."

Bruyneel's response was not long in coming, with polemical tones towards UCI president Lappartient:

"I find his attitude hypocritical. I appreciated the warm welcome I received from many people at the Tour."

A new chapter in the complex story of the darkest period in modern cycling, which continues to spark discussion even after all these years.