UCI Confirms McQuaid & Cookson Only Two Candidates for Presidency

The International Cycling Union (UCI) has confirmed Pat McQuaid and Brian Cookson are the only two candidates for presidency of cycling’s governing body.

McQuaid is seeking a third term in the role and will go head-to-head with the president of British Cycling for the role at the end of September.

The Irishman had to seek a nomination from Switzerland, where he is based, after a potential nomination from Cycling Ireland was defeated at an Emergency General Meeting.

He has become a controversial figure in the sport and was heavily criticised over the way the UCI dealt with the Lance Armstrong doping scandal last year.

McQuaid said: “Cycling has changed since I became UCI President in 2005. Cycling is now a global sport. It is now possible to race and win clean.

“During the past eight years I have introduced the most sophisticated and effective anti-doping infrastructure in world sport to cycling and opened up everything that is beautiful about our sport to new countries around the world.

“My mission now is ensure that we never turn back and that we preserve the culture of change within the peloton, that we revolutionize the way that we present our sport and that we continue to develop cycling worldwide in collaboration with all of our stakeholders.”

Cookson said: “The UCI and cycling face some huge challenges as we look to the future but our great sport also has some incredible opportunities – if we can grasp them.

“I believe that I have a strong and proven track record in delivering positive change in cycling and in a way that is collegiate – not confrontational – as my time as President of British Cycling shows.

“I want to see the UCI defined by genuine collaboration, renewed trust and with a vision to fully tackle the issues we face. If we deliver then cycling can reach new heights in the years ahead.”