Lance Armstrong... greatest doper there was or ever will be

Not all publicity is good publicity and, given the responses I've seen so far, they aren't getting any good publicity out of this.

They've actually achieved something I thought was impossible at the moment, and united cycling fans behind the UCI. We know they (the UCI) are generally wankers, but they are our wankers so fuck off you opportunistic, greedy cunts.

I think the point may have been missed.

I'm pretty sure I read weeks ago that the SKINS ceo is passionate about ousting McQuaid and Verbruggen. He may just be a frustrated cycling fan (and publicity lover). This is probably just what he can do to add pressure.

They'll not get money from the UCI but they can add to it's embarrassment.

Not all publicity is good publicity

Too true. SKINS was the clothing choice of Anders Brevik!

Never Go in Without a Skin

Ferrari: remember, Lance, to take care when injecting yourself. Dirty needles are dangerous.

Armstrong: It's ok doctor, I always wear a Skins condom.

Not all publicity is good publicity and, given the responses I've seen so far, they aren't getting any good publicity out of this.

They've actually achieved something I thought was impossible at the moment, and united cycling fans behind the UCI. We know they (the UCI) are generally wankers, but they are our wankers so fuck off you opportunistic, greedy cunts.

We all want the UCI to change, and perhaps them being sued as a result of their incompetence/corruption may help. After all, there is nothing like a major hit to the financials to make an entity such as the UCI seriously consider itself.

I don't have the time to discuss this now, but as an opening question - how is the UCI funded?

I'll be back in 3 hours.

I don't have the time to discuss this now, but as an opening question - how is the UCI funded?

From numerous sources I think.

Memberships funding from national governing bodies, commercial sales from their own events and increasing amounts of private funding.

The UCI have three main income streams;

1. Affiliation and licensing fees from national federations
   
2. TV rights to UCI operated events (mainly the World Championships)
   
3. Sponsorship from commercial companies, mainly to get exposure at 2.
   
   

As I understand it, the bulk of the money comes from the TV rights. As usual, inrng has an informative post on this;

http://inrng.com/2012/09/uci-financial-accounts-2011/

But my point in this discussion, is that they are not a wealthy organisation so supporting greedy, ignorant wankers like Skins is going to affect what they spend their limited budget on.

I'm all for more transparency and accountability at the UCI, but no-one seems to be able to come up with credible candidates to replace McQuaid so I'm unsure what regime change will achieve.

Doesn't the UCI also occasionally accept private donations from successful Tour riders as well? #zing

They did, but under the previous president's administration, not on McQuaid's watch. The key question the independent commission need to answer is when was that money paid and, more importantly, what was it spent on.

Smacks of Skins jumping on the bandwagon for some PR - though if it brings about some change I won't complain

They did, but under the previous president's administration, not on McQuaid's watch.

But Fat Pat explicitly said that they would accept future donations, just in a less obviously corrupt more transparent way

I'm all for more transparency and accountability at the UCI, but no-one seems to be able to come up with credible candidates to replace McQuaid so I'm unsure what regime change will achieve.

What about Clive? Even his arse is transparent.

There is a clear conflict of interest and the current cronies are fucking mad if they think that's an ok way to do things in 2012.

Andy as I read it funding source '1' in your list includes pro teams (according to your link). The size of this funding isn't a problem, it just needs to be clear that a team (or rider) can't buy 'credit' at the blood bank.

^The likely most influential member of the UCI is Igor Makarov the billionaire head of Katusha Russian cycling project.

His backstory is interesting. He's also head of Russian cycling federation and is funding a track program to match GB

The rules around the election of the UCI management committee and the President are nuts so, unless there is major reform, then one of the current members of the committee would be the next President.

Few of them are credible.

Personally, if I were involved in this, I'd be working on a new organisation that includes the teams and the race organisers that is separate from the UCI, leaving them the amateur side of the sport to run. Which, for a group of amateurs, seems appropriate.

7 hours after everybody else

Just read interesting article on Cyclingnews.com, about the EPO battle of major drug companys, risking patients health for bigger profits! Wow what a shock multinationals have no morals!

The rules around the election of the UCI management committee and the President are nuts so, unless there is major reform, then one of the current members of the committee would be the next President.

Few of them are credible.

Personally, if I were involved in this, I'd be working on a new organisation that includes the teams and the race organisers that is separate from the UCI, leaving them the amateur side of the sport to run. Which, for a group of amateurs, seems appropriate.

This. Rip the lot down and start again, root and branch

News just in, Lance Armstrong banned from Movember for using hair growing steroids.

http://l.yimg.com/ea/img/-/111103/lance_armstrong_mo_getty_17b49pe-17b49r3.jpg?x=350&q=80&n=1&sig=j.1twYrU4tgiqkCh3wmnxQ--

Lance Armstrong has never failed a test for Rogaine or Grecian2000.

Testosterone?

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDblpBDFGEA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDblpBDFGEA[/ame
]