?
The board of Cycling Australia (CA) has announced its intention to endorse Brian Cookson in his bid to become the next President of the UCI. During its board meeting in Sydney over the weekend, directors and delegates from New Zealand and the Oceania Confederation discussed the manifestos with both candidates ? Cookson in person and Pat McQuaid via teleconference. CA President Klaus Mueller stated; ?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.? Mueller went on to add; ?We are confident that he 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.?? Cookson?s excellent track record at British Cycling was a factor in the decision. ?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.? said Mueller, before commenting on current UCI President Pat McQuaid; ?CA has enjoyed a very good relationship with Pat over the years and we recognise the significant work he has done to help globalise the sport and address the doping culture that besieged professional men?s road cycling.? Before going on add; ?However, the inadequate response in dealing with the fallout from the Armstrong affair and subsequent allegations brought against the UCI has emphasised a need for leadership change to allow the sport to move on and realise its enormous potential.? CA also expressed concern for the reputation and integrity of the UCI resulting from the proposed changes to the constitution to retrospectively change the rules relating to this election with Mueller concluding; ?Even if those changes are legal it is entirely unsatisfactory in any democratic process and it lacks openness, transparency and integrity. CA 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.
