Cycling:: Cookson under fire, but still before re-election

The first term in office of Brian Cookson at the head of the World Cycling Federation UCI is sometimes viewed very critically.Nevertheless, it is considered likely that the Briton will be re-elected.

The judgement of the best German cycling professionals is quite devastating:”Nothing has changed with regard to the big issue of safety,”said time trial specialist Tony Martin on the fringes of the WC in Bergen very clearly about Brian Cookson’s first four-year term of office.Top sprinter Marcel Kittel also has a clear opinion on the work of the World Federation President:”I don’t think that the problems have become smaller, but bigger.

The British Cookson, who is often denied the charisma of a strong leader, does not have to worry about falling.If the UCI Congress votes on the head of the cycling world on Thursday, the 66-year-old’s victory over his French rival David Lappartient (44) is considered likely.

“I am confident that I have enough support and I am sure it will turn out well,”said Cookson during his campaign interviews over the past few months.The time for his competitor was “not yet ripe”, he did not feel the desire for a change in cycling.

Four years ago in Florence this was completely different.Cycling was groaning under Lance Armstrong’s uncovered scams and suffering under his scandalous head Pat McQuaid.The Irish man and his predecessor Hein Verbruggen, who had died in the meantime, were said to have been a sticky closeness to Armstrong, and they were also accused of serious corruption.It was memorable what happened in the majestic Palazzo Vecchio, how McQuaid clung to his power and finally had to step down like a beaten dog.

At that time, Cookson was a great beacon of hope, but today he seems more like the knight of the sad figure.Naturally, the ex-chief of the British association himself draws a different balance than, for example, the German drivers for a high-ranking official.Cookson had led the UCI out of an extremely bad light and made it one of the “role models” in the fight against doping.

Even IOC CEO Thomas Bach is enthusiastic about the progress and wants to take an example, Cookson emphasized in the SID interview:”I am very proud of what we have achieved.We have significantly improved credibility and integrity,”said the Briton, who described Martin and Kittel as “role models” in this respect.

Only somehow the professionals, who are the showpiece in cycling, have the impression that the right screws are also being moved.The World Tour as the first league of cycling is completely opaque, Martin complained:”There is nothing to be seen of changes, the World Tour is a complete chaos.Nobody looks through the rating system,”said the 32-year-old.

I still have the feeling that we are running against a complete wall,”said Martin, who, after a number of serious accidents last year, had also campaigned for change together with Kittel.

A UCI boss should write this topic “very big on his chest”, says Martin, who sums it up:”I wasn’t really enthusiastic about his term of office.Only then does Cookson plan his departure.