UCI President Pat McQuaid has called on Brian Cookson to stop pretending that his commitment to separate governance from the management of the UCI is anything other than a ploy to run the UCI from his UK home.
McQuaid claimed that Cookson was willing to become a ceremonial President who was detached from the reality of running the sport.
Although he recognised that many national federations have succeeded in separating governance from management McQuaid said that it would be impractical if not impossible for the UCI to do so.
“The UCI Constitution is very clear on the role of the UCI President. The executive powers vested upon the President can not be simply relinquished or abdicated to un-elected administrators,” said McQuaid.
“The UCI President is fully responsible for representing the sport, managing relations with external agencies such as the IOC and WADA and collaborating with the 178 national federations,” he added.
“The UCI Management Committee is elected to set the mission, vision and strategy for the UCI. The UCI President is also responsible for ensuring that the Director General and executive staff implement that strategy and that they administrate the UCI,” he explained.
McQuaid stated that the day-to-day function of the UCI President dictates as a matter of fact that the position is a fulltime job based in Switzerland.
“It is already very clear that Brian is seeking a coronation instead of an election. Now he wants to become a ceremonial President,” said McQuaid.
“I appreciate that Brian has retired but the UCI can not reform its governance and management to accommodate his retirement plans or to facilitate being remunerated while keeping his feet up at home in Lancashire,” he added.
The Irishman stated that cycling required an experienced President who pursued his own vision, who stood his corner and who had faced and knew how to overcome adversity.
“The position of UCI President is a responsible position. Those who occupy it have a duty to uphold and defend the principles of the UCI and to stand up for cycling rather than capitulating to those who seek to undermine or profit from the sport,” said McQuaid.
McQuaid rejected the notion that Cookson had transformed British Cycling while holding down a fulltime job as a landscape architect, urban designer and regeneration specialist in the Borough of Pendle, Lancashire.
“It can hardly be a mistake that the Queen chose to knight Sir Dave Brailsford as the architect of British Cycling’s success. It is certainly reassuring that I am not alone in distinguishing one architect from the other,” he said.
“Sir Dave Brailsford, National Lottery Funding and SKY’s five-year multi-million Euro agreement to become British Cycling’s principal sponsor are what has transformed British Cycling,” said McQuaid.
“Brian Cookson has been President of British Cycling for 16 years. Let no one be fooled that he has the credentials to transform the UCI – even if he gave up retirement, moved to Switzerland and had a full 16 years to do it,” he added.