Cookson Banking on Numbers

(ATR) UCI presidential candidate Brian Cookson is confident of an emphatic victory at next week’s election in Florence.

Cookson was speaking to members of the media at the headquarters of British Cycling in Manchester where he exuded self-assurance after recently receiving boosts from cycling delegates from around the world.

The president of British Cycling goes up against Pat McQuaid, who has been president of UCI since 1996 and is seeking a third term in office. But Cookson believes the time is right for a change.

"It’s been a very interesting few weeks, particularly over the last couple of weeks. Very, very busy, a lot of travel, and very, very pleased with the way things have been going, particularly on Sunday at the European Congress, when you’ll have seen the result of the vote, which was a pretty comprehensive victory, and I’m very pleased with the way things are going.

"I am confident because I know those people and I’m trusting their integrity and honesty. They've got a pretty clear mandate. The vote was 27-10, two-thirds, one-third. I don’t know what could be stronger than that and I entirely expect those people to behave accordingly. I’m sure they will. I know them very well."

Europe has 14 voting delegates in a secret ballot of the 42-member UCI electoral college that will choose the next president.

Cookson, a UCI management committee member since 2009, also counts on support from the US as he aims to oust McQuaid, whose re-election he admitted would be a "disastrous" moment for the sport.

"It’s probably no secret that the US delegate was already in favor of my candidacy. I think the other four [Pan-American delegates] really liked what I had to say and the approach that I've got, and I’m confident that we will achieve quite a turnaround in Pan-America.

"I’m confident that I will get a vote that is at least in the high 20s."

To say cycling has operated under a cloud in recent years is something of an understatement. Repeated revelations about doping, including the Lance Armstrong scandal, have tarnished the sport’s reputation – something for which Cookson believes McQuaid has to shoulder some of the blame.

"I think he has to take a lot of responsibility. Historically, the UCI has simply not grasped the nettle firmly enough at every opportunity on doping. A lot of progress has been made – there is no doubt about that – but we are still in a situation where there is a lack of belief in the honesty and integrity of the anti-doping processes run by the UCI."

"That’s why one of the key elements of the manifesto is that we need to get a separate, totally independent, genuinely separate anti-doping body for cycling."

It was a sad note for the former British cyclist that the revelations had overshadowed what he hailed as the "massive success" of the London 2012 cycling events.

Despite that though, the Brit was unconcerned about the allegations threatening cycling’s place in the Olympic movement.

"Cycling's place in the Olympics is not dependent on one man at the IOC. Cycling's place in the Olympics depends very much on the credibility of the sport, and the reputational damage that has been done to cycling in the last few years has caused untold damage.

"So we do need to transform that reputation, and make sure that the UCI is properly represented. It's not about one man."

The UCI election takes place on September 27 in Florence where the UCI Road World Championships are being held this year.

Technically, it is still unclear whether McQuaid will receive a full nomination to stand in the election. But he has recently been vocal in his skepticism over whether his opponent is saying

"It is already very clear that Brian is seeking a coronation instead of an election. Now he wants to become a ceremonial President.

"I appreciate that Brian has retired but the UCI cannot reform its governance and management to accommodate his retirement plans or to facilitate being remunerated while keeping his feet up at home in Lancashire."

Cookson responded by saying he would move to Switzerland and be entirely committed to leading the organization.

Reported by Christian Radnedge

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