Arms vigil in Bergen. Thursday, September 21, the 45 electors of the International Cycling Union (UCI) will follow one another in good order in front of the ballot box to appoint their president. On the track, two candidates. On the left (in the photo), the British Brian Cookson, 66, the incumbent, competing for a second (and presumed last) term. On the right, the Frenchman David Lappartient, 44, entered the race at the last moment, after having long assured that he would reach 2021.
The vote promises to be close. At the start of the week, David Lappartient told the daily Le Télégramme that he was leaving “with confidence for Norway. » With this comment: “I have the feeling that my candidacy is rather well received. » Present last week in Lima for the IOC session, Brian Cookson displayed similar optimism about the outcome of the vote.
Clarification: the election for the presidency of the UCI obeys quite specific, not to say strange, rules. The privilege of voting is concentrated on 45 electors, from the continental confederations: 15 for Europe, 9 for Asia, 9 for Africa, 9 for America and 3 for Oceania.
Brian Cookson answered questions from FrancsJeux between two debates at the IOC session in Lima.
FrancsJeux: What is your level of optimism, or conversely of concern, before the election to the presidency of the UCI?
Brian Cookson: I am optimistic. I had the opportunity to interact with all voters around the world. Their feedback was favorable. I have every reason to believe that I could win with a substantial majority.
In terms of votes, how much would that be?
It is always difficult to answer, but I think I can count on 30 votes (out of the 45 voters, editor's note).
Between David Lappartient and yourself, where can the difference be made?
The first difference is simply that people don't feel the need to change. I think they recognize that we have civilized the UCI, restored its credibility and put in place a series of very interesting programs. Of course, nothing is perfect. There is still work to be done. But the world of cycling is determined, I think, to give me a second mandate of 4 years to bring my project to fruition.
If you win, what would your priorities be?
Continue to develop women's cycling, continue the reform of the World Tour, in particular by seeking to simplify it, and support the growth of cycling across the planet. The UCI is not a national or European organization, it is international. We must consider its action and development on a global level, trying to ensure that cycling is practiced by as many people as possible in all countries, not only at the elite level, but also as a means of transport, as a leisure activity or as a health sport.
For David Lappartient, the UCI is still not capable of solving the problem of technological doping. What do you answer?
On this subject, his position is above all political. We have invested, researched and experimented a lot to fight against technological fraud. To date, our detection tablet system is the only one that has been able to uncover cheaters. I know that some claim to have better, but I invite them to come and present their discoveries to us at the UCI, in Aigle, with a concrete implementation in working order. If there is a more efficient process than ours, we will be happy to validate and use it. Of course, technology evolves, but we monitor it all very closely. We spend a lot on the fight against fraud, our experts work with equipment manufacturers and cycle manufacturers.
Will the A.S.O company, owner of the Tour de France in particular, play a role in the election?
I don’t know what A.S.O’s position is in relation to David Lappartient. Are they on his side? Do they support him? I haven't spoken to anyone about A.S.O in the last few weeks. Our last exchanges date back to the arrival of the Tour de France on the Champs Elysées. The people at A.S.O behaved towards me as they always do, with cordiality and politeness. I recognize their competence and know-how. Cycling would be doing even better if there were other companies at the level of A.S.O. But I think they would do well to stay out of this election.
