Cookson Receives Boost in UCI Presidential Campaign with Cycling Australia Endorsement

International Cycling Union (UCI) Presidential candidate Brian Cookson has received a significant boost in his campaign through the public endorsement of Cycling Australia.

Cookson (pictured) gave a presentation to members of the Cycling Australia Board in Sydney over the weekend and the expression of support has been quick to follow.

Klaus Mueller, Cycling Australia President, said: “After meeting with Mr Cookson this weekend, where he detailed his vision to rebuild trust in the UCI and grow cycling worldwide, my board has carefully considered the options before it and decided that Brian Cookson is the best candidate to restore both the sport’s, and the UCI’s, credibility.”

The credibility that Mueller speaks of was damaged by the Lance Armstrong doping scandal, which revealed that Armstrong had doped his way to seven Tour de France victories.

Commitment to governance & anti-doping

Mueller continued: “We are confident that he (Cookson) is genuinely committed to developing the sport worldwide and can deliver on his objectives to help grow the sport in Australia and Oceania. His commitment to introduce reforms to address the sport’s governance and anti-doping challenges were critical in our considerations.

“We believe that the leadership skills that he has demonstrated so effectively at British Cycling will be transferred to the UCI for the good of cycling on a global level.”

Cookson delighted

In response Cookson said: “I am delighted to have the backing of Cycling Australia, who have shown such a positive approach to the development of our sport. We have had very productive discussions over recent days and I have listened carefully to their views on the UCI, cycling in Australia and international development.

“We share a real commitment to restoring the credibility of the UCI and strengthening cycling globally.”

The UCI Presidential campaign has turned into a slanging match between Cookson and his only competitor, current President Pat McQuaid.

Cycling Australia expressed concerns of rule changes for this election process, which would benefit McQuaid, who has lost his backing from the Swiss federation.

Rule changes ‘unsatisfactory’

“Even if those changes are legal it is entirely unsatisfactory in any democratic process and it lacks openness, transparency and integrity,” said Mueller. Cycling Australia will not be supporting this motion at the UCI General Congress.”

The Presidential elections will take place at the UCI Congress in Florence, Italy on September 27, during the 2013 UCI Road World Championships in Tuscany.