McQuaid has truly lost it

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The other possibility is to break away from the UCI and set up an equivalent organization that just handles the pro side of the sport.Power struggle is nothing new in sports. Some years ago alternative league was formed in basketball in Europe when basketball teams were not happy with their governing body. This alternative league functions very well and everybody is happy with that.

What means does UCI have? If the only mean is to exclude riders which participated in ASO events from World Ch. or Olympics then those tournaments will become like a joke. For instance, Olympics might go back where it was before 1996 when amateurs participated in road races.

Is everyone here blinded by their love for ASO, and their bitterness at the UCI? Don't know why you are getting such an idea. UCI as it is now is controlled by a dumbass with a lust for power, and is largely responsible for the mess that we are in right now. When people criticize "UCI", they are criticizing the idiot(s) who is controlling the organization. It is all good to talk about "fixing the UCI", but do you see it happening any time soon?

Don't know why you are getting such an idea. UCI as it is now is controlled by a dumbass with a lust for power, and is largely responsible for the mess that we are in right now. When people criticize "UCI", they are criticizing the idiot(s) who is controlling the organization. It is all good to talk about "fixing the UCI", but do you see it happening any time soon?I'm getting convinced that the UCI structure can't be changed. Because to get the right balance of input within the UCI, requires the current powers to relinquish their influence. Not gunna happen. They are going to either have to get destroyed, or at least brought to their knees. This is going to get a lot worse before it gets better.

The sad thing is that the correct strategy for the currently farked UCI is to diminish pro cycling's revenue. That weakens their adversaries, because the UCI don't rely on commercial revenue to sustain their existence. So maybe Prudhomme is right about the sabotage tactics. And maybe UCI don't care if sponsors leave in droves, if it means they hold most of the cards in a few years.

We need a third organization IMO to administer/own pro cycling, as Bro suggested, that includes influence from the UCI, but also the other major stakeholders (teams/sponsors, rider's union, national feds, race promoters/owners).

PS - I made this post in the other thread before realizing it was as/more apt in here.

Found on Velo-Club:
This letter Wednesday from the Belgian federation to the European (UEC) has gone relatively unnoticed but it speaks volumes about the good atmosphere in the small kingdom World Cycling
UCI = disunity international cycling!

"Firstly, it is the duty of the RLVB to bring to the UEC that the resolution presented and endorsed at the recent congress of the UEC was not in order on a statutory, which causes the risk it can be challenged "

"We believe it is unacceptable that a communiqué on the resolution be drafted and sent by the president of the UCI instead of the UEC. RLVB According to the, this is clearly an disrespect towards continental federations. Furthermore, it is even more disturbing that the content of the resolution has been squashed. resolution dealt with the reform of the ProTour, and not an evaluation of the ProTour, as he been incorrectly insinuated in the notice from the UCI. "

The RLVB also believes that the recent statements in the press of the chairman and vice-president of the UCI, Pat McQuaid and Hein Verbruggen, are fearing the worst for the future of cycling. "Contrary to the call for dialogue, they argue openly for a split in the world of cycling. Resolution provides that the president of the UCI has an interview with the secretary of state in France later this week in order to 'attempt to find common ground and to conclude a compromise. however, and alas, we now read in the media that the president of the UCI refuses such an interview. "

"We hope that the president of the UEC may use his authority to plead with the president and the vice-president of the UCI for a compromise, and not in favor of a split and in the interest of the riders, teams and the public cyclist who are the victims of this dispute. "

I find it humorous that those who compare McQuaid to Hitler, are ready to give up on the more democratic organization, and hand power over to the authoritarian ASO. :eek:
This must be a European response.

ASO throws out riders and teams based on rumors and innuendo. No due process. No right of redress. No questioning the Furer.

ASO is no answer for the probelms of cycling. Cranky is on the right track.

Those who would forfeit liberty for security are deserving of neither.

I find it humorous that those who compare McQuaid to Hitler, are ready to give up on the more democratic organization, and hand power over to the authoritarian ASO. :eek:
It is basically like jumping out of the oven to land in a frying pan. I have found the ASO to be arrogant and self-righteous naboobs but the UCI almost makes them seem tolerable. I am finding both organizations so objectionable and self-centered it is difficult to remember that we want to watch racing.

ASO throws out riders and teams based on rumors and innuendo. No due process. No right of redress. No questioning the Furer.

ASO is no answer for the probelms of cycling. Cranky is on the right track.

Those who would forfeit liberty for security are deserving of neither.ASO throws out nobody, they just didn't invite some teams.

What would do your boss if you make 2 big errors at work?

It is basically like jumping out of the oven to land in a frying pan. I have found the ASO to be arrogant and self-righteous naboobs but the UCI almost makes them seem tolerable. I am finding both organizations so objectionable and self-centered it is difficult to remember that we want to watch racing.This my posizion too. Both disfunzional… they teatral funny ...http://cyclingforums.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

blaming other each....http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/gen156.gif

I find it humorous that those who compare McQuaid to Hitler, are ready to give up on the more democratic organization, and hand power over to the authoritarian ASO. :eek:
This must be a European response.


Um no. I think I first brought up this comparison in this threat. And it was mostly based on the tone of the speech.

Now, as you can see, I'm writing from the heartland of the good old U.S. of A. And I think, it is very American to bash the corrupt and ineffective international organization the UCI has become (or always has been), and give the benefit of the doubt to a private organization looking out for profit (ASO). You know, as Americans, we have faith in the forces of the market and private actors to turn out a product which appeals to the masses. ;)

I made this comment about 18 months ago but I don't mind repetition. The struggle in cycling now is not about the good of the sport it is about gaining power ,fame ,position and money.
It will get worse before it gets better.The big dog will always get the bone and the rest will get boned.

Pat McQuaid, announced today that he will expel from the UCI and will fine the teams that take part in Paris-Nice
http://www.esciclismo.com/ampliada.asp?Id=6570

The season will be out after Paris-Nice because of lack of teams!:D

Future threat of McQuaid:

If teams ride PN Earth will stop his revolution

Happily this guy has no nuclear weapons!

Hein Verbruggen planning ProTour version 2 ?
Verbruggen is currently in negotiations with Vandenhaute. They want the cycling towards example of the Champions League, which include the broadcasting rights for the major competitions in a package sold to the broadcasters.
http://www.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.volkskrant.nl%2Fsport%2Farticle510296.ece%2FSporttribunaal_moet_impasse_wielersport_doorbreken&langpair=nl%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8 (http://www.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.volkskrant.nl%2Fsport%2Farticle510296.ece%2FSporttribunaal_moet_impasse_wielersport_doorbreken&langpair=nl%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8)

Hein Verbruggen planning ProTour version 2 ?
Verbruggen is currently in negotiations with Vandenhaute. They want the cycling towards example of the Champions League, which include the broadcasting rights for the major competitions in a package sold to the broadcasters.
http://www.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.volkskrant.nl%2Fsport%2Farticle510296.ece%2FSporttribunaal_moet_impasse_wielersport_doorbreken&langpair=nl%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8 (http://www.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.volkskrant.nl%2Fsport%2Farticle510296.ece%2FSporttribunaal_moet_impasse_wielersport_doorbreken&langpair=nl%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8)

Let me ask, who owns the TV rights for the TdF, Giro, Vuelta? Somehow I think it's not the UCI. So, how can Verbruggen sell something he doesn't own? On Wall Street, that's called short sale, but eventually you have to come up with the goods.

I agree that the ASO can have the control it wants for its events, but the riders are the show. I think they should look at several institutions here in the Good Ole U. S. of A. for guidance. MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL. Owners and players hashing out terms. True this system has been proven to not be effective in controlling doping, but at least there is continuity and a legal process created by the players union and owners contracts.

Why don't the riders form a Union and then they could hash out long term contracts for events, ASO or otherwise. This would create stability and a legal process. Like professional sports in the states, the event owners could unite to form a league (Protour) and take care of promotions.

UCI may not have a place in this new arrangement, but I think turning the thing over to ASO is a major mistake.

I'm not too happy about the NHL, MLB etc. Hockey players are on strike more often than not; whole seasons get canceled. Baseball is going from one steroid scandal to the next. Not precisely shining examples.

Soccer leagues, especially the one in Italy doesn't seem to work without scandals either. The more I look around, the less I'm convinced that there's any good example out there for how sport should be governed.

Okay, this is just getting funny now. The UCI is opening a discplinary case against the french fed and its president because they have “betrayed their obligations of loyalty.” That pic of McQauid as Adolf was not far off.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-uci-frenchfeud&prov=ap&type=lgns

EDIT: I forgot to mention McQuaid is also going after the head of the riders' association, Eric Boyer.

I cannot wait for the time getting a pro racing license includes an oath of loyalty to the UCI.

Okay, this is just getting funny now. The UCI is opening a discplinary case against the french fed and its president because they have “betrayed their obligations of loyalty.” That pic of McQauid as Adolf was not far off.

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-uci-frenchfeud&prov=ap&type=lgns

EDIT: I forgot to mention McQuaid is also going after the head of the riders' association, Eric Boyer.

I cannot wait for the time getting a pro racing license includes an oath of loyalty to the UCI.
Here is the UCI's press release:

http://www.uci.ch/Modules/ENews/ENewsDetails.asp?id=NTYzMw&MenuId=MTYxNw&BackLink=/Templates/UCI/UCI5/layout.asp%3FMenuID%3DMTYxNw

An open letter McQuaid had published in Le Monde today.

http://www.velonews.com/article/73062/mcquaid-accuses-aso-of-using-blackmail