Pro-cycling thread

BMC building for the future by signing Simon Gerrans.

The most like person in cycling after greg henderson

who do we actually want as president?

It seems to be pretty shady to me, and quite corrupt.

David Lappartient wants the world championships to be held once every four years. Not sure the teams and riders would go for that anyway but doesn't suggest he is full of good ideas.

Surley that's terrible from a UCI money generating point?

And it's also just plain stupid.

Shady in what sense? Financially?

Is it corrupt? Hard to say but I doubt Cookson has enriched himself whilst he's been in office other than through his salary (which is still less than his predecessors).

In my opinion he's improved the organisation. He's moved anti-doping into a separate organisation, making it more independent, he's helped to raise the profile of women's racing (although there is a lot to be done still) and he's tried to increase participation globally. Of course, there is much, much more to be done but the direction seems to be the right one.

My concern with Lappartient, is his close ties to ASO, which might be good for the men's pro scene, but isn't for women's cycling or all the other disciplines the UCI has responsibility for.

I should declare my interest though, a friend of mine is high up in the UCI, and I'd like him to keep his job.

Shady in the way you can go around securing votes. Brian has the power as he's in office to sweeten people.
Corrupt not so much for money, but personal gain. He's willing to do and promise things for his personal gain.

Ah so Lappartient is being bank rolled and baked by ASO. Yes probably best he doesn't get in. Though pro cycling is so screwed, it needs throwing up in the air.

That didn't work for Pat McQuaid last time round.

No. His wallet wasn't big enough to buy him out of his hole.

Also, the UCI isn't a personal fiefdom. There are (too many) committees and commissions, so whilst the President can support and lobby for decisions, ultimately he can't mandate them. Which is good. But it needs streamlining, and that's hard to do because turkeys rarely vote for Christmas.

The vote was only 24-18 (I think) last time, Cookson didn't start with an Obama-esque swell of hope and enthusiasm for change. McQuaid is still influential behind the scenes so Cookson isn't going to have it easy.

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I don't think so.

Nicole Cooke running the UCI would be something.

Not in a good way.

It makes more sense if you saw Will's post before his ninja edit.

I did.

Was his contract up at OGE and they didn't renew so BMC got him cheap?

BMC really are a bit weird.

His contract was up at Orica, so I guess they got him cheap (although BMC pay comedy large wages by all accounts). He's been invisible this season.

I'm still staggered that Orica chose to keep Gerrans and lose Matthews, that looks more of a colossal error each time Matthews wins.

Yeah, but would matthews have won at Orica, with the twins there?

I really can't understand what BMCs game plan is, overall.

Mates in the org?

Exactly. I rode into the a parked car in May - went through the back window and needed 50 stitches on my neck - at the time I thought I was fine and was about to ride home when a passing policeman stopped me and said I was really hurt.

This win at all costs logic is why everyone fucking dopes

Talk about taring everyone with the same brush. Bit of a sweeping statement, '... why everyone dopes.'

I'm dopey as fuck, why do I rarely win?