Cycling Ireland Reconsider Mcquaid Nomination
Cycling Ireland is reportedly reconsidering its nomination of Pat McQuaid to stand for a third term as head of the world governing body, the International Cycling Union (UCI).
McQuaid has faced heavy criticism since details of doping by Lance Armstrong emerged, but the Irishman initially received a nomination from his own country as he pledged to overhaul the world body.
However, Cycling Ireland said the matter would now be looked at again, according to media reports, and will meet at an Extraordinary General Meeting in the near future.
A statement from the Irish governing body said: ‘Cycling Ireland at a meeting of its board on 26th April decided to convene an EGM to consider matters which have arisen following the decision taken at its board meeting on 12th April to nominate Mr Pat McQuaid to stand for the position of UCI president.’
Cycling Ireland’s secretary Geoff Liffey said details of the EGM would be circulated to member clubs next week.
Reacting to Friday’s development, McQuaid said on the UCI website: ‘I understand that Cycling Ireland has now decided to refer the matter to an EGM as a result of a technicality arising from the fact that its president temporarily vacated the chair of the nomination meeting so that he could contribute to the meeting under the chair of the CEO.’
‘This decision was taken on the basis of legal advice on procedural rules not on the merits of my nomination, which the board has endorsed.’
Former Cycling Ireland vice-chairman Anthony Moran – the only board member of the seven not to have voted for McQuaid – resigned after it nominated him for a further UCI term.
The presidency of the UCI will be decided at the organisation’s World Congress in September.
