Brian Cookson outlines four year manifesto ahead of September election

Brian Cookson, President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), has launched his manifesto for the coming four years in a bid for re-election at the UCI Congress in Bergen in September.

“I am seeking the continued trust and support of the cycling community, so we can build on the progress that we have made together over the last four years”, Mr Cookson said.

Though as yet unconfirmed to be challenging, it is widely believed that David Lappartient, president of the Union of European Cycling, is most likely to mount a bid for election. Lappartient was re-elected as the Euro cycling organisation in March.

Cookson has in his past term moved to reform cycle sport’s image following a turbulent and very public period of anti-doping investigations at the sport’s top level. The road ahead is far from smooth for the current UCI president. If re-elected, Cookson will have to grapple further with cleaning up pro cycling’s public image, as well as face scrutiny of his own due to allegations of foul play while he was president of British Cycling.

He is, however, determined to stick with the role and has launched a six point plan.

Cookson said: “I stood for the Presidency of the UCI in 2013 as I felt strongly that the UCI needed to embrace a new way of doing things and address, head on, the critical challenges facing our sport. I believe the record shows I have kept my promises and made real progress during my first term.

“I have been honoured by the trust that has been placed in me to lead the UCI, and I am proud of the work we have done together. One of my most important commitments was to review and improve, where needed, our governance and transparency. That’s why we revised our Constitution, introducing a number of improvements in line with best practice, including term limits for the UCI President.

“We are now proud to be a well-respected international federation, seen by WADA and other anti-doping organisations as being the reference point in our work for clean sport.

“We have made a great start but there is much more that needs to be done.  That’s why I’m standing for a second and final term as UCI President.

“This strategic plan will drive growth across all cycling’s disciplines, accelerate our international development, champion cycling for transport and leisure, ensure equal opportunity for men and women to participate and compete, build on our restored credibility and ensure the UCI continues to  drive excellence in our operations.

“Over the next four years I want to build on the strong foundation we now have in place, but of course I cannot deliver this alone. I need your help and support to implement this plan, so that, together, we can continue the job and achieve a strong and truly global cycling community.”