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Reaction to Brian Cookson's election as UCI president (+ video)

Travis Tygart: "A new and clean future"; Lance Armstrong: "Hallelujah"...

The cycling world has been reacting  to news of British Cycling president Brian Cookson's election today, by 24 votes to 18, to reolace rival Pat McQuaid as UCI president . Here's a selection of what has been said, but first a video featuring Cookson himself, filmed in the Salone del Cinquecento in Florence's Palazzo Vecchio where the vote was held.

UK Minister of Sport, Hugh Robertson

I congratulate Brian Cookson on becoming the President of the UCI. 

Cycling in Britain has never been in a better place as it is right now, on both participation and elite fronts, and Brian deserves a lot of credit for that. 

I am sure he will do a fantastic job taking the sport forward globally.

Renato di Rocco, president of Italian national federation, the FCI

I offer my compliments to the new UCI president, Brian Cookson, who has won this prestigious role.

The hope is to continue along this road of renewal that has been taken in the last few years, to proceed together in the common goal of a cycling that is even more international, transparent, secure and clean.

Jaimie Fuller, chairman of clothing firm Skins and founder of pressure group Change Cycling Now

The thing Pat clearly didn’t realise in the final months that lead up to the election, was that the more determined he got to rebuff the criticism and accusations of malfeasance, the more determined we all were to drive home the message.

Brian Cookson’s election is a massive shot in the arm for world cycling and I’m delighted we were in some way, a part of getting him through the door.

Travis Tygart, United States Anti Doping Agency CEO

USADA welcomes cycling’s vote for a new and clean future.

The outcome of the UCI election sends a powerful message that sport leaders who fail to fully protect the rights of clean athletes and the integrity of their sport will be held accountable.

The UCI tried to obstruct our investigation into doping in cycling at every turn, and then after the release of our reasoned decision the previous leadership failed to take necessary and decisive action to fully clean up the sport.

The election of a new UCI President who is committed to transparency and a new direction, is a monumental moment for the sport and demonstrates that when clean athletes stand up for their rights they will be heard.

We are confident that as President, Mr. Cookson will take the decisive action needed, so that cycling can truly unshackle itself from the past and pursue a clean culture for future generations of cyclists.

Lance Armstrong, 1993 road world champion

Hallelujah.

 

Pat McQuaid, former UCI President

I would like to extend my congratulations to Brian on his success in being elected UCI President. Being elected UCI President was one of the proudest moments in my life and I know that it is also a proud occasion for Brian, his family and his supporters.

It has been a huge privilege to serve the sport that I love as UCI President for eight years and I enjoyed every day that I spent working with all of our federations to improve and develop cycling worldwide.

Brian has set out what he intends to achieve over the next four years and I would encourage all cycling federations to support his efforts to work for the good of the sport.

 

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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13 comments

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Spangly Shiny | 10 years ago
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Hate to disagree with you Gkam but I think that a new start ought to begin with exposing the faults of the old. The only man we know who knows is LA and we need him to spill the beans so that the sport can move on.

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Gkam84 | 10 years ago
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I don't agree with getting Armstrong involved with anything. This is a new start, we don't need to drag over all the shit of the past.

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Karbon Kev | 10 years ago
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christ sod off Lance Armstrong, sick of seeing his ridiculous name ,,,,

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kitkat | 10 years ago
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That's the best thing McQuaid has said in months. I'm looking forward to seeing the engagement with WADA and the outcomes.

If the UCI had been stronger on doping then the Festina and Armstrong era may never have happened. Lance was the cowboy that road into town while Sherrif UCI was turning a blind eye at the local bar

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Doctor Fegg | 10 years ago
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Quote:

Lance Armstrong, 1993 road world champion

Love it!

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Not KOM replied to Doctor Fegg | 10 years ago
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Yeah, I saw that too and just thought "Wonderful :)"

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Sudor | 10 years ago
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I guess in the coming months we'll get to learn why McQuid was so desperate to hang on to his gravy train

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Leviathan | 10 years ago
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Goodbye Pat  103

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Gkam84 | 10 years ago
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I hate the way that Jaimie Fuller and Change Cycling Now have done very little for a long time since their summit.

Fuller has stumped up cash here and there for lawsuits and now seems to be claiming sole responsibility for getting Cookson in.....Just watch skin's contracts for UCI back handers  24

As for his offer to Armstrong for him to get involved with the truth process....leave it out. Keep him as far away from anything the UCI does going forward.

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Swindaloo replied to Gkam84 | 10 years ago
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Gkam84 wrote:

As for his offer to Armstrong for him to get involved with the truth process....leave it out. Keep him as far away from anything the UCI does going forward.

Great idea, let's bury our heads in the sand and pretend Armstrong told Oprah everything there was to know.

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Low Speed Wobble replied to Gkam84 | 10 years ago
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Gkam84 wrote:

As for his offer to Armstrong for him to get involved with the truth process....leave it out. Keep him as far away from anything the UCI does going forward.

Why? Let's find out what happened, when and by whom and to who. We still don't know, but we need to. They should drag him in by his ball.

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WolfieSmith | 10 years ago
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2 Brit wins in TDF and now a Brit in charge of the UCI? Blimey. Where did it all go right?

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pedalingparamedic | 10 years ago
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Jaimie Fuller: 'Brian Cookson’s election is a massive shot in the arm for world cycling'.

I think I know what he means but it's an unfortunate choice of words....

Anyway congratulations to Brian Cookson, great for cycling.

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