UCI President Brian Cookson has urged potential rival David Lappartient not to stand against him for the UCI Presidency and instead wait another four years when the Frenchman could potentially have an unopposed run at the position.
At a press conference dubbed 'coffee with Cookson', held at the Tour Down Under, the current president was asked about a variety of topics including the election, WorldTour reforms, Jiffy bags and sexism allegations at British Cycling during his tenure.
At almost every turn Cookson, who has already announced that he will stand for re-election this autumn avoided yes or no answers, instead adopting an ultra-cautious approach.
ADVERTISEMENT
When asked five times whether his vice-president and potential opposition for the presidency, David Lappartient, was loyal, Cookson started out by only praising the Frenchman's work at for his national federation. Finally, on the fifth attempt, all of which came from Cyclingnews, Cookson replied by stating that, "David is an ambitious young man and he might decide on being a candidate at some stage."
The relationship between the pair has been tense over the last 18-months with Lappartient's ties to the French federation and ASO at times undermining Cookson's attempts to reform the UCI calendar. The Cookson election camp fully expect Lappartient to stand later this Autumn, although the Frenchman was forced to cancel a planned trip to Australia this week due to complications surrounding his travel visa.
Cookson did, however, break rank by suggesting that Lappartient should hold back from standing this year.
UKAD, TUES and accountability at British Cycling
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/2k7snPl
No comments:
Post a Comment