Many are talking of the demise of the Tour de France and of cycle racing in general. I would argue that it is the Union Cycliste Internationale that has failed cycling spectacularly. It is time for cycling to ditch the UCI and start again.
The strength of the UCI derives from its close links with the International Olympic Committee, otherwise the cycle industry would have abandoned this discredited trade body ages ago. But now, after this final farce, surely even the IOC will lose patience?
The UCI's Pro-Tour 'initiative' was a blatant attempt to break the stranglehold of the likes of Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO): and why did the UCI not inform ASO about Rasmussen's failings?
Quite apart from the recent power-struggles between the three major national tours and the UCI, the UCI has been holding back cycling for 70 years since it decided (at the behest of the industry) to sideline the newer, faster breed of bikes with a different riding position. It continues to restrict riding positions (viz. Graeme Obree) and to hold back progress toward lighter bikes by imposing a minimum weight.
Now, with the UCI in its death throes after this fatal shot in the arm, the time is right to start again. A new golden age of cycling can begin. The Tour de France could survive but under a radically new governing body.
All we need is a visionary whom we can rally around and who has the courage and the influence to put the dying beast out of its misery. Cycling's Bernie Ecclestone, perhaps. Any suggestions?
Paul Robison
The strength of the UCI derives from its close links with the International Olympic Committee, otherwise the cycle industry would have abandoned this discredited trade body ages ago. But now, after this final farce, surely even the IOC will lose patience?
The UCI's Pro-Tour 'initiative' was a blatant attempt to break the stranglehold of the likes of Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO): and why did the UCI not inform ASO about Rasmussen's failings?
Quite apart from the recent power-struggles between the three major national tours and the UCI, the UCI has been holding back cycling for 70 years since it decided (at the behest of the industry) to sideline the newer, faster breed of bikes with a different riding position. It continues to restrict riding positions (viz. Graeme Obree) and to hold back progress toward lighter bikes by imposing a minimum weight.
Now, with the UCI in its death throes after this fatal shot in the arm, the time is right to start again. A new golden age of cycling can begin. The Tour de France could survive but under a radically new governing body.
All we need is a visionary whom we can rally around and who has the courage and the influence to put the dying beast out of its misery. Cycling's Bernie Ecclestone, perhaps. Any suggestions?
Paul Robison