Swiss roll in behind McQuaid re-election bid

UCI president Pat McQuaid has sidestepped a Cycling Ireland EGM that was set to decide next month whether the federation would nominate him to contest an election for a third term in office.

McQuaid has secured the backing of the Swiss cycling federation, which has now nominated him to run. It means the Irishman will go forward to contest that election in September and no longer needs the nomination of Cycling Ireland.

The move effectively makes redundant the EGM to be held in Dublin next month (June 15). However, even though the meeting is effectively pointless, it must still go ahead because it has already been called by Cycling Ireland.

McQuaid had been nominated by the board of Cycling Ireland to contest the election for a third four-year term. However, that was found to be void when it was discovered the board meeting where he was nominated had not been held strictly in accordance with the federation’s rules.

When the board was reconvened two weeks later, such was the backlash from media and clubs over the original decision not to put the matter to an EGM, the federation did a u-turn and decided to call an EGM.

Delegates were, and still will be asked, to vote at the meeting on whether Cycling Ireland should nominate McQuaid.

While the need by McQuaid to go outside his own country to secure a nomination is a major embarrassment for him, he was able to seek the Swiss federation’s backing because he is a resident there.

In a UCI statement yesterday confirming the development, McQuaid said he was delighted.

“I put myself forward to serve another term as UCI president on my record of developing the sport throughout the world and on combating the scourge of doping in cycling.”

“I took up residency in Switzerland in 2005 when I assumed the role of UCI president and I have had a long association with Swiss Cycling. It has become clear that my nomination in Ireland has been politicised by a small group of people.”