Commenting in the wake of reports of what has been termed a ‘damning dossier’ on current UCI president Pat McQuaid, the latter’s rival for the September elections has written about his concerns at the matter.
Cookson, current British Cycling president and a member of the UCI management committee since 2009, confirmed that information was provided to those present at the latest committee meeting last week in Bergen, Norway.
“I have to respect the confidentiality of the Management Committee with regards to the contents of the dossier with which we were presented,” he wrote in his online blog. “But what I can say is that I was disturbed by what I heard and I have been assured it will be properly investigated.”
Last week reports emerged that American committee member Mike Plant had compiled a dossier on McQuaid, thought to have been put together with the services of private investigators. It was discussed by the other management committee members on Friday, with Plant subsequently telling the Inside The Games website that the UCI was at “critical turning point in the history of our sport.” He also argued that, “strong, credible leadership has never been more important.”
Thought to relate to McQuaid’s dealings with Lance Armstrong, the dossier reportedly led to heated exchanges. No details have been released as to the conclusions reached, but Plant has officially withdrawn his backing for McQuaid.
“Since that portion of the meeting was in a closed session of the members, I will not answer questions about what has transpired,” Plant said. “However, I believe it is time to make my views public. I can no longer support the current President of the UCI.
“In private discussions with the UCI President and fellow members of the UCI Management Committee, I have made my reasons, findings and concerns clear to him and my colleagues," said Plant.
The former USA Cycling president said that he believed the sport had reached a crucial moment and that it was time to do what was in the best interests of cycling rather than thinking of self-interest.
Although the management committee said it continued to support McQuaid earlier this year, Brian Cookson recently declared that he would step up and contest the presidential election. Like Plant, he is a member of that committee.
There are indications that others are also dissatisfied, and so at a time when McQuaid has lost the support of the majority of Cycling Ireland clubs, his request for nomination being rejected in Saturday’s EGM, he also appears to be losing his grip within the UCI itself.
It is not clear whether Plant’s dossier will be made public. However one possible interpretation is that, amid reports that the management committee is increasingly divided over McQuaid, that the information might be part of an attempt to try to force him not to go forward for a third term.
He is yet to comment on the dossier.