UCI Presidential Candidate Cookson Basks in Growing List of Supporters

Brian Cookson, medicine the sole candidate to replace Pat McQuaid as the president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), sales has thanked his growing list of supporters.

In the past week Cookson has received backing from Cycling Australia, Bike NZ, Cycling Canada and the British Olympic Association (BOA).

In three weeks McQuaid or Cookson will be voted in as the UCI president in Florence, with many people thinking a change is needed in the sport which McQuaid has headed since 2006.

In an official statement Cookson said: “I am honoured to have received so much support from people passionate about cycling from across the world.

“On my recent travels I have been particularly struck by the support expressed to me by cycling fans and it has really motivated me to know so many people who love cycling are behind me.”

McQuaid’s time in charge of the UCI has been marred by controversy, with the Lance Armstrong doping scandal at the forefront of the issues.

Cookson has long promised to change the image of the sport if he is elected as the next president.

“There does appear to be a real and growing appetite for change to the leadership of the UCI and I am grateful for all those who have sent me messages of support and endorsement,” Cookson added.

“I have a sense of a growing momentum within the cycling family for our pledge to restore trust and lead change in the UCI.”