Dear UCI
Cyclist Middle East|December 2017

With Brian Cookson out and David Lappartient in, Felix Lowe writes an open letter to the new president of the UCI

Brian Cookson
Dear UCI

Dear David, félicitations on your 37-8 rugby-score-of-a-victory over Brian Cookson in the election to become head of the UCI. I hope your mauled predecessor handed over the lanterne rouge and UCI-branded rucksack on his way out of the headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland.

As Breton takes over from Briton – one white male cycling cognoscente from northwest Europe replacing another – at the top of an ailing global sport’s governing body, I’d like to take this opportunity to speak on behalf of my fellow cycling fans.

No sooner had you taken over the reins than we were treated to the sumptuous spectacle of the World Championships in Bergen, Norway. Perhaps your first move should be to use some of the wads of cash paid by Qatar to host last year’s Worlds to bail out the impoverished Norwegian Cycling Federation, which has had to go to local fans to raise cash to pay for the whole shindig. That red carpet they used for the time-trial bike-change zone really wasn’t cheap.

In fact, here’s an idea: scrap the fee for the Worlds altogether. Then perhaps your plans of an African Worlds may actually happen.

This story is from the December 2017 edition of Cyclist Middle East.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 2017 edition of Cyclist Middle East.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM CYCLIST MIDDLE EASTView All
Dear UCI
Cyclist Middle East

Dear UCI

With Brian Cookson out and David Lappartient in, Felix Lowe writes an open letter to the new president of the UCI

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2017
Canyon Ultimate WMN CF SLX
Cyclist Middle East

Canyon Ultimate WMN CF SLX

Canyon has finally decided that, yes, women do need their own race bike

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2017
Craig Calfee
Cyclist Middle East

Craig Calfee

From bamboo e-bikes to full suspension racers, frame building pioneer Craig Calfee talks carbon fibre, Greg LeMond and the future of bikes as we know it

time-read
5 mins  |
December 2017
Track In The USSR
Cyclist Middle East

Track In The USSR

Not only did Don Walker found the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, he also shows some pretty mean bicycles himself

time-read
4 mins  |
December 2017
Rotor Uno Hydraulic Road Groupset
Cyclist Middle East

Rotor Uno Hydraulic Road Groupset

£2,400, saddleback.co.uk

time-read
1 min  |
December 2017
Frank Schleck
Cyclist Middle East

Frank Schleck

The ex-pro and former yellow jersey wearer tells Cyclist about the unique pleasures and pains of riding at the Tour de France 

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2017
The Worlds Are Your Oyster
Cyclist Middle East

The Worlds Are Your Oyster

Designing a course so a local rider wins the rainbow jersey? Felix Lowe asks just what are the Worlds coming to…

time-read
3 mins  |
October 2017
Pick 'N' Mix
Cyclist Middle East

Pick 'N' Mix

If we had to pick five…

time-read
2 mins  |
October 2017
Q&A : Thomas Voeckler
Cyclist Middle East

Q&A : Thomas Voeckler

The French fans’ favourite on his last ever appearance in the Tour de France, his old Miguel Indurain poster and the glorious art of the attack.

time-read
5 mins  |
June 2017
In Praise Of... Memorials
Cyclist Middle East

In Praise Of... Memorials

Plaques, statues and shrines to cycling’s fallen heroes are scattered all over the mountain roads of Europe, turning any ride into a pilgrimage.

time-read
4 mins  |
June 2017