I had to leave when the election was just about to get really interesting. When I got back, I read the tweets chronologically without knowing the result - to be honest, it was more thrilling than most bike races
Well, thats fairly good news. I mean, Cookson is not perfect as very few people that run in politics are (the political system [in general, not just UCI] is incredibly effective at ensuring anyone suited to running things won't get power). I feel Pat was worse then most though.
I have to admit, I had a horrible feeling Pat would cling on, although my brains told me that Makarov should be able to outbid the UCI slush fund.
It was a hell of an exciting day though XD. I agree with CT, more exciting then alot of races this year XD
stenic wrote:
its a shame the ballot was secret, i'd like to know which 18 federations voted for Pat and why?
Largely those of Africa and Asia, though it would be nice to know specifics the best we can hope for is some educated guess work in due course.
don't forget St Lucia, their president suddenly became a very vocal supporter of Pat.
i hope for cycling's sake they were guessing when they ticked the McQuaid box on the ballot paper and didn't receive any kind of financial incentive for their support of Pat.
See this video from 1:50 - that's how you take charge as a leader. "Yes, yes, you're by no means allowed to run for president - but hey, screw it, I'll beat you anyway".
Nothing is assured and lets see how things pan out and start to judge in 6 months to a years time.
What I will say is that Cookson's election has given me hope of meaningful change. If McQuaid had got back in...well, I'd struggle to have any hope of anything other than maintaining the status quo at all costs.
Here's to hope and promise, may it be realised and fulfilled.
I'm not expecting so many reforms, not many that wouldn't have happened under McQuaid.
The changes I'm really expecting are mostly the riddance of the H. Verbuggen camp, a more independent anti-doping department, and less corruption.
On that last aspect, the bribe of the Greek delegate is not really reassuring...
I get the feeling that the African reps wanted someone there to represent their interests. Also Cookson could well have played hardball and promised a spot to the Egyptian delegate (I think they had a delegate, I'm not sure) in exchange for the vote. Remember that he is a politician, even if he is more principled than Verbruggen/McQuaid, so let's not pretend that he would be above doing something like that.
"Before", yes. That was Sky's rational and scientific approach of cycling at work when they don't check blood values nor power profile evolution before signing a new rider.
Ah, we continentals are a century behind.
Oh look, the blood passport catches another nobody
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"I love him, I think he's great. He's transformed the sport in so many ways. Every person in cycling has benefitted from Lance Armstrong, perhaps not financially but in some sense" - Bradley Wiggins on Lance Armstrong
