"another interesting piece I found on the UCI and president Pat McQuaid " Thread

[RobbieCanuck]

Bookies odds and general media vibes would seem to indicate Pat McQuaid will be reelected.

Thoughts? More importantly - actions?

This is tragic for the sport. Cycling will be destined to the trash can of history. When the entire cycling community has no faith in its leadership it will limp along like a wounded duck. Does McQuaid have no shame? Another reason not to watch pro cycling. Hopfull sponsors with deep pockets will bail. McQuaid does not care for the fan, only the money he can make from his promotion business. Sad. Tragic. And predictible.

 

[42x16ss]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MLry6Cn_D4

 

[Dazed and Confused]

and so the doping circus will continue.

Gotta wonder what type of deal Hein and Phat will run when "Project UK Postal" ends after the Tour Yorkshire start in 2014.

Could it be Team Chinese Development Bank?

 

[86TDFWinner]

exactly, he seems to be sitting this out, waiting for it to blow over, as expected.

good thing cycling has already changed internally.

Yep, under his "watchful eye" no less

 

[ScienceIsCool]

I don't think it matters if Pat is re-elected or not. All indications is that there is interest from sponsors, teams, and race organizers to form a "breakaway" league. This puts the sport firmly in the hands of commercial interests instead of the half-assed corruption of the UCI.

From there the UCI becomes largely irrelevant when it comes to race promotion and the money flowing into Pat's/Hein's bank accounts will slow to a trickle. You really think any new league will set up a premium race in China? And that leaves the UCI setting rules about saddle length, etc. with not much power to mess up pro cycling any more. That's the good news.

The bad news is that any new league will have one, and only one agenda. Protect and grow its commercial interests. Riders, management, doping authorities will all sing from the same hymn. Lots of controls, things are much cleaner, believable performances, etc, etc. There will be no dissenting voices and their credibility will begin to grow.

Just don't look behind the curtains...

John Swanson

 

[Benotti69]

I don't think it matters if Pat is re-elected or not. All indications is that there is interest from sponsors, teams, and race organizers to form a "breakaway" league. This puts the sport firmly in the hands of commercial interests instead of the half-assed corruption of the UCI.

From there the UCI becomes largely irrelevant when it comes to race promotion and the money flowing into Pat's/Hein's bank accounts will slow to a trickle. You really think any new league will set up a premium race in China? And that leaves the UCI setting rules about saddle length, etc. with not much power to mess up pro cycling any more. That's the good news.

The bad news is that any new league will have one, and only one agenda. Protect and grow its commercial interests. Riders, management, doping authorities will all sing from the same hymn. Lots of controls, things are much cleaner, believable performances, etc, etc. There will be no dissenting voices and their credibility will begin to grow.

Just don't look behind the curtains...

John Swanson

This is what JV wants, imo.

 

[ScienceIsCool]

Yeah, that's what JV wants - even though I think he actually has the best of intentions. I think he really believes that he can influence a new league in a way that brings transparency, clean riding, and credibility.

It might even work for a while, but the commercial interests still have primacy. When clean riding and $$$ are in conflict, I'm pretty sure I know which side will win.

John Swanson

 

[Dr. Maserati]

This is what JV wants, imo.

I think it is too - what's actually wrong with that?

Yeah, that's what JV wants - even though I think he actually has the best of intentions. I think he really believes that he can influence a new league in a way that brings transparency, clean riding, and credibility.

It might even work for a while, but the commercial interests still have primacy. When clean riding and $$$ are in conflict, I'm pretty sure I know which side will win.

John Swanson

To be honest - the devil will be in the detail. For me it does not matter who runs the races - as long as the anti-doping is independent, well funded an proactive. And I feel there is a better chance of that if a JV type are involved.

 

[DirtyWorks]

...From there the UCI becomes largely irrelevant when it comes to race promotion and the money flowing into Pat's/Hein's bank accounts will slow to a trickle.

John, you are missing some vital information here. The UCI are already covering any attempt for another viable Pro cycling business.

1. The UCI has a worldwide monopoly on bicycle racing including forbidding Pro's from racing under any other organization. So, if there is a new organization, it has to gather enough elites to attract some interest. The UCI wins that battle with divide and conquer tactics. ASO and RCS win no matter what.

2. The UCI is already moving onto adopting some wierd packaged format of broadcasted and casual observer friendly racing. The guy behind OPQS has already bought in. The UCI's questionnaire from a week or two ago strongly hinted at it again.

What you imagine is already in motion. The UCI is still the administrative center to all of it. It will change Pro cycling in pursuit of more dollars. Pat and Hein will be skimming off the revenue the whole time. I think I can assume it's not the outcome you (and I) desire.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

I don't think it matters if Pat is re-elected or not. All indications is that there is interest from sponsors, teams, and race organizers to form a "breakaway" league. This puts the sport firmly in the hands of commercial interests instead of the half-assed corruption of the UCI.

From there the UCI becomes largely irrelevant when it comes to race promotion and the money flowing into Pat's/Hein's bank accounts will slow to a trickle. You really think any new league will set up a premium race in China? And that leaves the UCI setting rules about saddle length, etc. with not much power to mess up pro cycling any more. That's the good news.

The bad news is that any new league will have one, and only one agenda. Protect and grow its commercial interests. Riders, management, doping authorities will all sing from the same hymn. Lots of controls, things are much cleaner, believable performances, etc, etc. There will be no dissenting voices and their credibility will begin to grow.

Just don't look behind the curtains...

John Swanson

If riders only understood, it is they that have the power. They need to form their own independent "union" and find financial backers for a World Cup format. They will of course be sued by the UCI to get a restraining order, but how does the UCI operate without riders? Especially the good ones. I cannot see a court refusing to allow riders to earn a living cycle racing outside of the UCI, unless the court is corrupt.

At the same time riders MUST BE TRANSPARENT about their training, out of competition test results and hematocrit levels or they will have no credibility.

 

[Tinman]

If riders only understood, it is they that have the power. They need to form their own independent "union" and find financial backers for a World Cup format. They will of course be sued by the UCI to get a restraining order, but how does the UCI operate without riders? Especially the good ones. I cannot see a court refusing to allow riders to earn a living cycle racing outside of the UCI, unless the court is corrupt.

At the same time riders MUST BE TRANSPARENT about their training, out of competition test results and hematocrit levels or they will have no credibility.

I agree the riders do have the power. But as they all - or most - are likely to have been - or still are - on the juice a rider revolt is unlikely to happen. In fact the riders will want to retain the status quo.

The sport is doomed but for the fans and local political lobby flowing through local government. Refer the latest ASADA proposal to Australian government; opposed by the athlete organizations...

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/po...pose-new-powers-for-asada-20130312-2fyyg.html

 

[RobbieCanuck]

I agree the riders do have the power. But as they all - or most - are likely to have been - or still are - on the juice a rider revolt is unlikely to happen. In fact the riders will want to retain the status quo.

The sport is doomed but for the fans and local political lobby flowing through local government. Refer the latest ASADA proposal to Australian government; opposed by the athlete organizations...

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/po...pose-new-powers-for-asada-20130312-2fyyg.html

It appears the proposal to enhance ASADA's powers fails to recognize fundamental principles of fairness and due process in their eagerness to ferret out doping, but there are ways to craft legislation that can accomplish both. This would be "reverse onus" clauses and "deeming" provisions, that always give a rider the opportunity to prove they were clean.

For example, once it has been established a positive test followed the appropriate scientific protocols, that result would be considered proof of doping and trigger an automatic suspension, unless the rider can prove to a reasonable degree of certainty, with evidence to the contrary, there was no performance enhancing effect or benefit.

Another piece of legislation could be to require a rider to provide an explanation for a positive test, and failure to do so would deem the test accurate, unless the rider could show to a reasonable degree of certainty, there was no performance enhancing effect

A good craftsperson of laws can structure the legalese better than my clumsy wording, but you get the drift. Always give the rider an opportunity to prove his innocence but clearly put the onus on that rider and require a significant standard of proof.

 

[GreasyMonkey]

How much more ridiculous can the spin get......?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mcquaid-armstrong-affair-wil-not-effect-cycling

One really has to wonder where he gets his PR advice from, can it get any worse?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

McQuack says the bio-passport is "fool proof". The UCI loves showing its utter stupidity and disdain for the fans.

 

[doperhopper]

McQuack says the bio-passport is "fool proof". The UCI loves showing its utter stupidity and disdain for the fans.

he was just misquoted by the f* w* journos, originally it was "proof for fools"

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

The UCI is already moving onto adopting some wierd packaged format of broadcasted and casual observer friendly racing. The guy behind OPQS has already bought in. The UCI's questionnaire from a week or two ago strongly hinted at it again.

What you imagine is already in motion. The UCI is still the administrative center to all of it. It will change Pro cycling in pursuit of more dollars. Pat and Hein will be skimming off the revenue the whole time. I think I can assume it's not the outcome you (and I) desire.

It is no coincidence some teams are not on the MPCC bandwagon, yet.

“Now, we have upgraded our process and we are advancing day by day in that point. UCI is the only sporting federation in the world which has a fool-proof bio-passport programme. So, our doping controlling programme is currently equipped to control the menace.”

He can become anchorman at FOX - NEWS after his stint at UCI.

 

[D-Queued]

McQuack says the bio-passport is "fool proof". The UCI loves showing its utter stupidity and disdain for the fans.

It is fool proof.

It preserves doping without eliminating it.

Even more importantly, it allows full subjectivity in who to pursue, and when, through the use of 'suspicion' lists.

It is a masterpiece of a tool for corruption.

Dave.

 

[blackcat]

orwell would be proud

 

[Basecase]

orwell wheelers?

http://www.orwellwheelers.org/ Nico Roche's ould club

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

It is fool proof.

It preserves doping without eliminating it.

Even more importantly, it allows full subjectivity in who to pursue, and when, through the use of 'suspicion' lists.

It is a masterpiece of a tool for corruption.

Dave.

In fact, it makes dopers dope. In fact it is unhealthy.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

McQuaid is an idiot

McQuack says the bio-passport is "fool proof". The UCI loves showing its utter stupidity and disdain for the fans.

"We have moved on from that controversy. It was not at all a blow to cycling and I don’t see it has left any negative impact on the sport,” CN March 13, 2013

This is without a doubt the most naive, ignorant person in all of cycling. McQuaid's statements are absurd. He has his head in the sand and has since his involvment with the UCI. His cerebral cortex does not exist. He is brain dead. If he doesn't understand what the effect of Armstrong's doping plus all the other myriad doping scandals have had on cycling then he is thoroughly incompetent. McQuaid is a disgrace to the intelligence of cycling fans as Moose points out.

The biggest fraud in sporting history occurs on his and Verbruggen's watch. The fraud involves massive doping, cheating and coverups in cycling. The fraud makes UCI testing procedures a joke (LA's mantra - "I have never failed a test"). And McQuaid says it had no impact on the sport? The man is in la-la land. It is impossible to understand how any reasonable national cycling federation could support this pretender as President of the UCI.

Cycling is a failure as a sport. Cycling reeks with failures of moral leadership especially from McQuaid, Verbruggen and the UCI (and with the notable exception of Tygart/USADA) Cycling is in a crisis, unlike any other sport. It should be kicked out of the Olympics.

Fans simply cannot trust riders, teams, management, sponsors, promotors and especially the UCI. Look at all the skepticism with Sky (which Brailsford for some reason does not get).

With McQuaid as head of the UCI, cycling is doomed to the trash can of history. Any system of sport administration that could keep this guy in office is corrupt. Until cycling gets rid of the McQuaids and Verbruggens it will remain a mess. When you have a guy in charge of the UCI who is about as bright as a sack of dead fish, you know the sport is doomed.

 

[Tinman]

Not sure if posted before, off the CCN twitter feed. Great read on Pat's South African apartheid's cycling adventure and the farce of being banned for life from the Olympics, yet being on IOC.

http://transparencyinsportblog.word...when-jimpats-penis-stood-for-racial-purity-2/

 

[DirtyWorks]

Cycling is in a crisis, unlike any other sport. It should be kicked out of the Olympics.

No, it's not. The UCI reports to no one except maybe Rogge and the IOC likes the doping. Meanwhile, Hein and Pat are monetizing cycling. New races in China, parts of Africa, and South America.
-hey, isn't Froome from somewhere in Africa? Pat and Hein have an opportunity to grow the cycling fanbase by letting him go super-juiced. THAT's never happened before....
-Remarkable that a South American pro team gets granted a Pro license just in time for the next Olympic cycle, not unlike a Team Sky... But that's all just crazy coincidence.

When you have a guy in charge of the UCI who is about as bright as a sack of dead fish, you know the sport is doomed.

Don't underestimate Verbruggen. He cares about making money through the IOC and UCI and has done very well. Everything else is worthless. I'd say the sport will always be rather small because, for whatever reason, they can't seem to hide the corruption and doping the way Football has.

Now that they've got the dope to pick winners and have a handle on how to control it, it really is entertainment wrestling. Which, is okay to Hein and Pat. Entertainment wresting is big money.

All of which is to say, many of the regulars here have seen the sport mired in this much controversy. New controversy, same sports federation with a worldwide monopoly on competitive cycling.

 

[RobbieCanuck]

No, it's not. The UCI reports to no one except maybe Rogge and the IOC likes the doping. Meanwhile, Hein and Pat are monetizing cycling. New races in China, parts of Africa, and South America.
-hey, isn't Froome from somewhere in Africa? Pat and Hein have an opportunity to grow the cycling fanbase by letting him go super-juiced. THAT's never happened before....
-Remarkable that a South American pro team gets granted a Pro license just in time for the next Olympic cycle, not unlike a Team Sky... But that's all just crazy coincidence.

Don't underestimate Verbruggen. He cares about making money through the IOC and UCI and has done very well. Everything else is worthless. I'd say the sport will always be rather small because, for whatever reason, they can't seem to hide the corruption and doping the way Football has.

Now that they've got the dope to pick winners and have a handle on how to control it, it really is entertainment wrestling. Which, is okay to Hein and Pat. Entertainment wresting is big money.

All of which is to say, many of the regulars here have seen the sport mired in this much controversy. New controversy, same sports federation with a worldwide monopoly on competitive cycling.

It seems to me there is not a single pro race that can be held that is not suspect. To me that is a sport in crisis. When a team like Sky purportedly is clean and Brailsford goes to great lengths to defend the team and says it success is due to its training yet 90% of fans are suspect, that to me is a sport in crisis. When the cynicism of the fans is so deeply entrenched to the extent that every assertion of being clean is met with sarcasm and mockery, to me that is a sport in crisis.

I had in mind McQuaid as opposed to Verbruggen. But you are correct to observe that neither Verburuggen or McQuaid should be underestimated in terms of knowing how to manipulate the sport for their personal financial gain. To me that is another piece of evidence that the sport is in crisis.

The flagrant conflict of interest between McQuaid and Verbruggen's personal monetizing schemes and what is in the best interests of how the UCI should be run again show the sport is in crisis.

As long as McQuaid remains and Verbruggen uses his influence cycing is doomed to botton tier mediocrity in athletics. To me that is a sport in crisis. It stinks from top to bottom.

 

[Fearless Greg Lemond]

Not sure if posted before, off the CCN twitter feed. Great read on Pat's South African apartheid's cycling adventure and the farce of being banned for life from the Olympics, yet being on IOC.

http://transparencyinsportblog.word...when-jimpats-penis-stood-for-racial-purity-2/

It is sad to see, to put it mildly, Sean Kelly also was on that trip.