Freshly re-elected for 4 years at the head of the French Cycling Federation, David Lappartient is now tackling a challenge of broader dimensions: the presidency of the European Cycling Union (UEC), the election of which takes place on Sunday 4 March in Paris. A continental ambition which this 39-year-old Breton explains to FrancsJeux.com the reasons and the issues.
FrancsJeux : Why do you want to run for president of the European Cycling Union?
David Lappartient : For several reasons. Firstly, because I believe that the voice of Europe must be better heard in world cycling. Our continent remains the cradle of this sport, it now hosts around 85% of the events on the international calendar, all disciplines combined. I also believe that, at a time when cycling is going through a serious crisis, Europe can serve as a spur to advance certain ideas, particularly in the field of ethics. We must stand alongside the UCI to emerge from this crisis. Furthermore, I am opposed to the idea of creating a closed league in our sport. This idea is gaining ground. I want to oppose it. I can achieve this by being at the head of the UCI. In the same vein, I am opposed to the use of headsets in the peloton, especially in the context of sports betting. And my chances of making myself heard will be greater as president of the UEC than in my current role as first elected official of the French Federation.
Two candidates are running for the UEC presidential election: Andreï Tchmil, the former Moldovan runner, winner of Paris-Roubaix, and you. How do you judge your chances of winning?
My chances are real. Otherwise, I wouldn't have gone there. But in this type of election, some countries support both candidates. So you have to be wary of rumors.
What distinguishes you most from your rival, Andrei Tchmil?
Our journey, first. He was a professional runner, former world number 1. I come from the grassroots of cycling, from the world of leaders and volunteers. Without wanting to denigrate my country, I also represent one of the greatest cycling nations. We don’t have the same vision of cycling either. To be involved, as president of the French Federation, at all levels of the pyramid, I believe I have a broader view of things.
Can leading the UEC serve as a stepping stone for you to one day run for the presidency of the UCI?
Today, I am running for the presidency of the UEC. I am not a candidate for the UCI. In addition, no president of the European Union has been able, in the past, to become head of the International Cycling Union. My ambition today is to see my ideas heard and listened to. I want to give the UEC a broader role than just the awarding of European championships. But, that being said, I am also not saying that I will never be a candidate for the UCI.
