McQuaid pours scorn on Cookson manifesto

Twenty-four hours after British Cycling president Brian Cookson launched his campaign for the leadership of the International Cycling Union (UCI), Pat McQuaid has come out fighting with a challenge to the Englishman to explain what he feels is a “half-baked” manifesto.

Cookson is so far the only person to challenge McQuaid’s leadership as the Irishman, who has been UCI president since 2005, seeks to be elected for a third term in September.

Several pledges have been made by Cookson, including to tackle the perceived failings of the eras of McQuaid and his predecessor, Hein Verbruggen, with anti-doping at the top of the agenda.