After being released by the Radioshack team due to his involvement in the Lance Armstrong case, Johan Bruyneel has made up his mind regarding his future in cycling. The Belgian rules out any comeback and says that he is done with the sport.

Being the mastermind behind Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France wins and the rise of Alberto Contador, Johan Bruyneel was once regarded as the best sports director in the world. However, he fell into disgrace in late 2012 when the USADA published its report about the Lance Armstrong case, accusing the Belgian of being heavily involved in what they described as the most sophisticated doping programme ever seen.

While Armstrong has admitted his misdemeanours and has been handed a life-time ban, Bruyneel has always denied all accusations. Alongside trainer Pepe Marti and doctor Pedro Celaya, he will defend himself against the charges at a USADA hearing that will be held in London from December 16 to 20.

In late 2012, Bruyneel was dismissed by the Radioshack team where he was the manager, and replaced by Luca Guercilena. Since then, he has stayed away from the spotlight and has drawn little public attention.

In an interview with RTL Luxembourg, he has now stepped forward and proclaimed that he will never return to the cycling world.

 "I have come to the conclusion that I'm done with cycling," he said. I want to move on with my life and that's what I'm trying to do.

"I don't see myself as the devil even though people are trying to create an image of Lance Armstrong and me as the bad guys," he added. He is not optimistic when it comes to the fight against doping as "the system is not good."

"I do not see a change," he said. "Even though I trust [new UCI president] Brian Cookson, things will not change overnight."

Bruyneel was the sports director in all 7 of Lance Armstrong's Tour de France wins and was in the car behind Alberto Contador when he won the 2007 and 2009 Tours.