COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — USA Cycling has endorsed British challenger Brian Cookson against incumbent President Pat McQuaid in a contentious election that will be decided Sept. 27 in Florence, Italy.
Cookson has promised to rebuild cycling’s reputation and governance after years of doping allegations that reached a crescendo with the Lance Armstrong confession. The culture of doping within the sport largely stained McQuaid’s two-term tenure.
USA Cycling has raised concerns about the legitimacy of McQuaid’s nomination for the presidency after he failed to gain support from his home Irish federation and Switzerland, where he lives. He is running with support from Malaysia and Thailand.
USA Cycling said in endorsing Cookson on Wednesday that he is best qualified to lead UCI and rebuild trust in the organization.
