Here's a brief round-up of what some of the media in Ireland and the UK were saying this morning about British Cycling's president Brian Cookson's intentions to run for the UCI presidency against Ireland's Pat McQuaid, who wants a third term in office.
The Telegraph (UK)
(Cookson’s) decision to run could spark an acrimonious battle with McQuaid... “I’m a little bit surprised with Brian, but that’s as much as I’d like to say on that,” McQuaid said.
“As long as it’s a good campaign and a clean campaign, I have no problem with that.”
McQuaid was “confident” his campaign for re-election would garner “a lot of support”, despite having had trouble even securing a nomination.
McQuaid, who has been in power since 2006, has faced calls for his resignation since it was revealed the UCI had accepted a $100,000 (£65,000) donation from Armstrong in 2007. McQuaid has repeatedly denied knowledge of any cover-up over the disgraced American’s doping programme.
Advertisement
Cookson, meanwhile, has overseen the most successful – and arguably cleanest – period in British cycling’s history in his 16 years in charge.
The Independent (UK)
British Cycling president Brian Cookson is expected to stand for the presidency of the International Cycling Union (UCI).
Cookson, 61, would challenge the controversial incumbent Pat McQuaid if the Irishman succeeds in securing a nomination to stand for re-election. "I'm a little bit surprised with Brian, but that's as much as I'd like to say on that," McQuaid said yesterday.
Related News
The Guardian (UK)
Cookson, who helped rescue British Cycling from the brink of insolvency in 1996 before becoming president a year later, has overseen the transformation of the governing body into one that is widely praised for marrying elite-level success with a boost in grassroots participation.
It is understood that Cookson will announce his candidature on Tuesday before publishing a manifesto that will include measures to increase accountability and transparency, and restore the sport's reputation.
He is believed to have already taken soundings from other federations who have pledged support. Forty delegates will vote on the presidency in September and Cookson would need the support of at least 23.
In January, following rumours that he would stand, Cookson said it was "demanding job" and that running for the presidency was "not on my agenda". At the time, he also said he supported McQuaid "100%".
The Irish Independent
Cookson was part of a committee that saved British cycling from bankruptcy in 1996 and has headed the national governing body in the UK since then, overseeing a massive turnaround in the sport there – the new set-up has produced several Olympic champions as well as a first British Tour de France winner in Bradley Wiggins last year.
The 61-year-old from Lancaster has been a member of the UCI management committee since 2009 and has been head of both the UCI cyclo-cross and road commissions in that time.
Topics
