McQuaid will bring ‘Irish’ approach to new role

NEW world cycling chief Pat McQuaid has promised a more relaxed ‘Irish’ approach to resolving some of the rifts within the sport.

The newly-elected International Cycling Union (UCI) president is known for his convivial manner and said his Irishness would be at the forefront of resolving issues between the UCI and numerous detractors.

The Pro Tour series, introduced by departing president Hein Verbruggen, has left many race organisers fuming at the UCI, which they feel has gone beyond its remit.

The organisers of the three major Tours - Italy, France and Spain - are still at loggerheads with the UCI over reforms it has introduced which threaten the full independence of long-established races.

Tour de France managing director Patrice Clerc even warned on Thursday the Pro Tour could never overshadow the world’s biggest race.

However, after his overwhelming election victory over Spaniard Gregorio Moreno, McQuaid - a 56-year-old former cycling professional who once rode with Sean Kelly - promised he would work to ensure the Pro Tour problem would not weigh down his four-year mandate.

“You have to accept that I’ve just become president today. I’ve been president of the UCI road commission for the past eight years and I haven’t been directly involved in those (Pro Tour) negotiations,” McQuaid said.

“Certainly, it is an urgent issue. But we have some time now,” he added referring to an agreement late on Thursday between the UCI and the organisers of the big three for a status quo for 2006, meaning further negotiations will be put on the back burner.

McQuaid added: “I will try and bring a different approach, maybe. An Irish approach to it might do it. We have some good politicians in Ireland, who have done some good jobs - like the presidency of the European Commission - and we have a slightly different approach to things.”