Brian Cookson outlines UCI vision and progress in rebuilding trust

One year on since being elected President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Brian Cooksontoday addressed members of the global cycling family at the 183rd UCI Congress in Ponferrada, wherethe 2014 UCI Road World Championships are taking place.

In a wide-ranging speech, the UCI President provided a comprehensive update on progress over thepast 12 months, particularly as they relate to the six pillars that were at the heart of his electionmanifesto, and his vision for the future of the UCI.

Addressing the 183rd UCI Congress, Brian Cookson said:"My vision for the UCI is a simple one. I want us to be the best International Federation in the world; afederation that properly supports the beautiful and enduring sport of cycling in all its forms. I was underno illusion of the scale of the task to rebuild trust in the UCI when I took over the Presidency. I knew itwould require a new style of leadership, more transparency, better governance and a genuinecommitment to listen. I have worked hard to deliver in each of those areas. This is how we will growour sport across the globe and attract new fans, new participants and new revenues.

"My first manifesto pillar was to revolutionise our approach to anti-doping. And that is what we havedone, and continue to do through a wide range of reforms and the establishment of the CyclingIndependent Reform Commission (CIRC). Let me be clear – many have spoken of the need for Truthand Reconciliation in our sport and I agree. But there cannot be reconciliation without truth. While theCIRC’s report may ultimately make uncomfortable reading for some, we know it is an essential part ofrebuilding trust in the UCI and cycling."

Brian Cookson also updated the UCI Congress on progress in:

Embracing openness and transparency;

Growing cycling worldwide;

Developing women’s cycling;

Overhauling the structure of elite men’s road cycling;

Embracing the future together.

"For me, embracing the future includes embracing innovation and selling our sport – in all itsdisciplines – better. Technology is key here, and you may have seen a number of innovations beingtested in recent months – such as putting cameras into the heart of the peloton – a move I fullysupport. Indeed here at the World Championships we are also investing in the testing of geolocationtechnology. All these developments have exciting implications across all disciplines – as the amazinghelmet camera videos generated from Mountain Biking demonstrate so well."

"In each of the areas I have highlighted, the work continues and shapes our priorities for the coming12 months. There are challenges ahead but I believe it is right to look to the future with optimism aswe continue to expand the number and scale of events, our broadcast reach, our commercialrelationships, and grow the number of participants in and fans of cycling. We are moving in the rightdirection. Of course the last 12 months are part of a longer journey, a new chapter, and with manymore to come, but we have laid firm foundations to help us build an even stronger future for our greatsport."

For more information, please contact:

Louis ChenailleUCI Press Officer

+41 79 198 7047

louis.chenaille@uci.ch

John Zerafa

VERO Communications

+44 7813 814 816

jzerafa@verocom.co.uk

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