Reforming the UCI

[Flying_Monkey]

I agree that Lemond is frequently over emotional in his approach, and there isn't a great deal that is constructive in his proposals. However, I can't agree with the insinuations that oldroadman makes, nor are they even necessary if one wants to disagree with his open letter. I also don't think McQuaid is the person we need at the top. Apart from being Verbruggen's hand-picked successor and supporter, he is personally implicated in many of the issues around the Armstrong case. He has to take some significant responsibility and he is still trying to both accept the USADA report and evade those issues and that responsibility.

 

[johnr]

McQuaid and Verbruggen have to go if cycling is ever going to get out of this mess. If the successor comes from the same stable, they'll be swept away soon enough. But for now, UCI has to get rid of the Dangerous Brothers if it wants to survive as a credible organisation.

 

[thom]

I wouldn't hold your breath - if you think Lance was a difficult one with all the money involved, try taking onall the heavyweigt commercial operators in the sports mentioned. Little wonder Lance was targeted, after this is settled it will be interesting to see if Mr Tygart and his people have the stomach for a fight with, say, the tennis authorities, and get testing full on (plus out of competition) going, or whether there will be a cry of "human rights to privacy" which has been the defence by some top players who refuse to join the whereabouts system (you have to note where you will be for one hour a day, five days a week, not hard if you are a pro sports person), and would appear not to want to be tested. I wonder why?

After this success, USADA ought really to have a lot of credibility in the bank. I'm sure Tygart has the appetite to take on whoever it is but I'm not sure he has the tools to prize (sp..?) open ways into the issues. Essentially, the key testimony for both the Balco and USPostal affairs were obtained by the Feds (McQuaid's point), so USADA probably have to be very careful. They have an amazing hit rate for winning cases though.
My worry is the curtailing influence of Congress, caused by lobbyists. Livestrong are widely reported to have lobbied on LA's behalf for greater oversight and as you touch on, the "human rights" issue of due process. There is little USADA can do if political forces work against them.

 

[BJH]

GLMs open letter today seals the deal for me, it's just gotta be him that gets to take over.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

There's so much tosh in there I don't know where to start! Has Lemond ever been accused of doping? He has been an advocate of clean cycling for years and if he had skeletons in the cupboard I think he'd be keeping pretty schtum right now. You seem to suggest that because he had an accident from which he recovered and went on to win the tour that he must have doped like Armstrong, otherwise your 'people in glass houses' comment makes no sense.
McQuaid has been on duty during some of the most corrupt, inept and blinkered years in pro-cycling. irrespective of who replaces him, and whether he would be better or worse, PM has to go almost as quickly as Verbruggen. I suggest you do some more reading into the corruption that has been endemic at the UCI.

Rumour doing the rounds that Fat Pat's son accused GL of being dirty on Twitter yesterday! Make this up? You could not!

 

[User169]

Rumour doing the rounds that Fat Pat's son accused GL of being dirty on Twitter yesterday! Make this up? You could not!

He deleted the tweet pretty quickly, but a screenshot was posted on Inner Ring.

 

[rich p]

He deleted the tweet pretty quickly, but a screenshot was posted on Inner Ring.

Have you a link to it DP? I can't seem to find it on inring

 

[Lurpak]

Have you a link to it DP? I can't seem to find it on inring

http://s14.directupload.net/file/d/3054/hnez8ogv_jpg.htm

 

[rich p]

http://s14.directupload.net/file/d/3054/hnez8ogv_jpg.htm

Cheers!

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Plenty of riders now demanding independent investigation and UCI reform.

 

[007fair]

I like Lemond and believe he is clean. However, considering the gravity of the situation his FB appeal is diminished due to a lack of quality, which is annoying as he is on the button. I don't think PM quite gets it .. or at least doesn't quite know what to do, and with someone like that in charge the doping door is always slightly ajar. And once 1 or 2 people push it open and get away with it for even a year or two then many will follow. The difference doping makes to your status and finances in cycling is just too great to leave the solution with individuals consciences. If 95% of the peloton dope the remaining 5% are dismissed. If 95% of the peloton are clean the remaining 5% are in the spotlight. 1 doper is too many. Sky's zero policy is the only way and PM doesn't have the stomach for that.

 

[thom]

Rumour doing the rounds that Fat Pat's son accused GL of being dirty on Twitter yesterday! Make this up? You could not!

Isn't one of his sons the agent of Sean Kelly ? (or is it Stephen Roche)
Anyhow, here are Kelly's transgressions and here are allegations of Roche's.

Either way, or whichever son, you couldn't make it up !

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Isn't one of his sons the agent of Sean Kelly ? (or is it Stephen Roche)
Anyhow, here are Kelly's transgressions and here are allegations of Roche's.

Either way, or whichever son, you couldn't make it up !

Andrew MacQuaid is, or was, iirc, agent for Nicolas Roche and Philip Deignan. and a quick cut'n'paste adds Australian Richie Porte, American Taylor Phinney, South African Daryl Impey, Christophe Le Mevel of France, Briton Jeremy Huntto the list.

 

[thom]

Andrew MacQuaid is, or was, iirc, agent for Nicolas Roche and Philip Deignan. and a quick cut'n'paste adds Australian Richie Porte, American Taylor Phinney, South African Daryl Impey, Christophe Le Mevel of France, Briton Jeremy Huntto the list.

I'm pretty sure he's also involved with Kelly as a business associate - Andrew used to race for the Sean Kelly cycling team... and presumably does work for it or it's riders now.

 

[fozy tornip]

The UCI was born of an act of secession:

The UCI was founded on 14 April 1900 in Paris by the national cycling organisations of Belgium, the United States, France, Italy, and Switzerland. It replaced the International Cycling Association by setting up in opposition in a row over whether Great Britain should be allowed just one team at world championships or separate teams representing England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Britain found itself outflanked and it was not able to join the UCI - under the conditions the UCI had imposed - until 1903

So rather than waiting for it to reform itself why not a rival organisation attuned to the zeitgeist - with robust anti-doping protocols and policies, a commitment to developing the sport at grassroots level globally, nicer people in charge - that national organisations, teams, riders, the IOC, big race organisers and fans might affiliate with in preference to a terminally ill sack of crooks (if such it be?)