Mens Road Cycling > The Unofficial Bash The UCI Thread

Dim · « **on:** February 02, 2012, 00:22 »

Good article from Joe Lindsey

http://bicycling.com/blogs/boulderreport/2012/02/01/aigle-is-burning/

Quote

Pat McQuaid’s a busy man these days. He’s been giving interviews, attempting to set a backfire to protect the UCI’s role as the organizing body of pro racing, and aggressively defending his reputation in court.

The problems, however, are myriad. In interviews, he comes across as ignorant and out of touch. His attempt to shore up financial support for the UCI has so far met with failure. And his legal pursuit of journalist Paul Kimmage is both baseless and troubling on many levels.

It’s easy to bash on the UCI and I do it often. Let’s first remember that the organization is not just one person, no matter how outsize a presence he has. And the UCI is a necessary and valid part of the sport of bike racing.

But I’ve said before that I have no confidence in McQuaid’s ability to lead it, and this latest round of news shows why

written before they started docking points off riders
http://velorooms.com/index.php?topic=168

Amsterhammer · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2012, 00:42 »

Blatter and FIFA in miniature. Power clearly corrupts.

Dekker_Tifosi · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2012, 01:18 »

+Add to that the story of that woman from Saint Kitts and Nevis
+Add to that the failure in the cases of Valverde and Contador and Ullrich (final decisions take eons)
+Add to that the general withdrawal of many races due to lack of money. Including many traditional spanish/italian races

And you wonder...what IS the UCI actually doing???

ZamanAbbaticchio · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2012, 15:57 »

Quote

Following reports last week that the International Cycling Federation (UCI) was actively looking for outside investment for its newly formed commercial arm, Global Cycling Promotion (GCP), UCI president Pat McQuaid has conceded that the threat of a breakaway league has accelerated the process.

A Bloomberg story last week indicated that the UCI had had a proposal for investment in GCP rebuffed by ASO, the owners and operators of the Tour de France.

GCP, a commercial entity set up to feed profits back to the UCI, undertook its first major project last year, acting as comprehensive consultant to the organisers of the inaugural Tour of Beijing top-level road race. New races in Russia and South America are in the pipeline.......

More at the source:-
http://www.sportspromedia.com/notes_and_insights/breakaway_threat_has_focused_uci_minds_says_mcquaid/

just some guy · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2012, 12:24 »

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ekhst59KG0&feature=player_detailpage#t%3D4s

Every time I see him I just want to punch him in the face

BYOP · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2012, 12:44 »

Quote from: just some guy on February 27, 2012, 12:24

Every time I see him I just want to punch him in the face

Agreed, Just hope I see him before you do. I don't get how a guy who made money in South Africa during the Apartheid-era whilst using false papers, can then become the head of the UCI, it really does baffle me! Also his son who is an agent can fuvk off too!!!

benotti69 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2012, 14:40 »

Bashing the UCI is like sooting fish in a barrel.

McQuaid is such a clutz it is amazing he runs the UCI.

Dancing on the Pedals · « **Reply #7 on:** February 27, 2012, 15:49 »

Is it just me who reads this article and feels rather sick whilst doing so?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mens-pro-cycling-bucks-economic-trends

The most successful team over the last 4 years - HTC - folds due to lack of sponsorship. I think I am right in saying that there are question marks over GreenEdge's long term financial security? Given the rather clumsy nature of the merger between Leopard and Radioshack, who knows what Becca's real intentions are. Euskaltel's budget has not risen for 5 years, and is desperately searching for new sponsors in order to maintain their position at the top end of the sport.
On top of this comes the news that Pais Vasco and San Sebastian are in danger of being cancelled due to lack of funding. There were also a couple of other Spanish stage races - I can't remember which - which have cut days, again due to lack of money?

The HTC example to me, seems particularly damning of MacQuaid's assertion that pro cycling is in good health. It's hard to think what more a team would have needed to do to appeal to sponsor's looking to get involved in cycling.

If the sports finances are in such rude health in this hard economic climate, why can some of this not be put back into these historic races, in order to help them to survive? Globalization of cycling is all and well and good, but if it comes at the expense races in area's as passionate as the Basque country then that is surely wrong.

BYOP · « **Reply #8 on:** February 27, 2012, 20:25 »

Quote from: Dancing on the Pedals on February 27, 2012, 15:49

Is it just me who reads this article and feels rather sick whilst doing so?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mens-pro-cycling-bucks-economic-trends

The most successful team over the last 4 years - HTC - folds due to lack of sponsorship. I think I am right in saying that there are question marks over GreenEdge's long term financial security? Given the rather clumsy nature of the merger between Leopard and Radioshack, who knows what Becca's real intentions are. Euskaltel's budget has not risen for 5 years, and is desperately searching for new sponsors in order to maintain their position at the top end of the sport.
On top of this comes the news that Pais Vasco and San Sebastian are in danger of being cancelled due to lack of funding. There were also a couple of other Spanish stage races - I can't remember which - which have cut days, again due to lack of money?

The HTC example to me, seems particularly damning of MacQuaid's assertion that pro cycling is in good health. It's hard to think what more a team would have needed to do to appeal to sponsor's looking to get involved in cycling.

If the sports finances are in such rude health in this hard economic climate, why can some of this not be put back into these historic races, in order to help them to survive? Globalization of cycling is all and well and good, but if it comes at the expense races in area's as passionate as the Basque country then that is surely wrong.

That sums it up perfectly.

42x16ss · « **Reply #9 on:** February 27, 2012, 22:17 »

El Presidente has the raw nerve to come out and say THIS after the latest news on Euskaltel, Clasica San Sebastian, Pais Vasco as well as HTC folding and the RadioSchleck merger!!!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mens-pro-cycling-bucks-economic-trends

The hide of the man is extraordinary! As long as your bank balance keeps going up all is well though hey Pat???

What about long term sponsors such as HTC, Bouygues Telecom, CSC, Credit Agricole, Milram and Skil leaving the sport? No mention of that huh >

lucky · « **Reply #10 on:** February 28, 2012, 05:01 »

That statement they released is ridiculous. The UCI/McQuaid are in total denial.

ZamanAbbaticchio · « **Reply #11 on:** February 28, 2012, 23:29 »

Quote from: 42x16ss on February 27, 2012, 22:17

El Presidente has the raw nerve to come out and say THIS after the latest news on Euskaltel, Clasica San Sebastian, Pais Vasco as well as HTC folding and the RadioSchleck merger!!!

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/mens-pro-cycling-bucks-economic-trends

The hide of the man is extraordinary! As long as your bank balance keeps going up all is well though hey Pat???

What about long term sponsors such as HTC, Bouygues Telecom, CSC, Credit Agricole, Milram and Skil leaving the sport? No mention of that huh >

Spazio had an article about it http://www.spaziociclismo.it/?action=read&idnotizia=17543 ...which roughly translate like this

Ernst& Young says that cycling is perfectly well and UCI states that cycling keeps prospering. In the world tour, the average salary went from 190.000 euros in 2009 to 264.000 in 2012. According to the official report professional teams' budget increased 36,5% over the last three years. Sponsors revenue cover 95% of teams' income, three years ago they covered 73%.

These however concern only world tour and professinal world, ruling out the continental world where things are rather different.
The number of teams increased from 131 to 152 but they have many troubles, starting from the search for sponsors. The report doesn't consider all the mergers, which means without doubts that sponsors, whether for will or necessity, no longer consider profitable to invest in this sport, or at least not at the requested prices.
We don't know what the results would be if we'd exclude the rich salaries of those 4/5 succesful teams, but the suspect is that all this has little to do with more investments, the point is that costs increased therefore sponsors can only follow them-

just some guy · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2012, 08:37 »

AIGCP No confidence in UCI Leadership

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/aigcp-has-no-confidence-in-uci-leadership

just some guy · « **Reply #13 on:** March 05, 2012, 19:32 »

Zam found this

http://www.as.com/ciclismo/articulo/tas-dijo-dopara-contador-clembuterol/20120304dasdaicic_1/Tes

Hein would be so proud

just some guy · « **Reply #14 on:** March 15, 2012, 11:41 »

http://www.cyclesportmag.com/features/interviewing-pat-mcquaid/

just some guy · « **Reply #15 on:** March 15, 2012, 12:40 »

Skippy weighs in

http://www.theroar.com.au/2012/03/15/apparenty-cycling-is-booming-but-where/

ram · « **Reply #16 on:** April 11, 2012, 05:22 »

Nothing new or unknown about this, just stumbled upon this while listening to some old beeb radio documentaries. A decent one by them that encompassed doping and corruption, predominantly, but not just, about cycling. Threw some right sh** at Verbruggen's direction in part 2 with regards to corruption.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2008/07/080716_secrets_blood_1.shtml

just some guy · « **Reply #17 on:** April 11, 2012, 06:40 »

Quote from: ram on April 11, 2012, 05:22

Nothing new or unknown about this, just stumbled upon this while listening to some old beeb radio documentaries. A decent one by them that encompassed doping and corruption, predominantly, but not just, about cycling. Threw some right sh** at Verbruggen's direction in part 2 with regards to corruption.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/documentaries/2008/07/080716_secrets_blood_1.shtml

Good stuff there Ram

conclusion is perfect to part 2

too many conflicts of interest

benotti69 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 17, 2012, 15:57 »

The real reason, i think, behind the UCI's(re McQuaid) push to bring cycling to China and Russia is that apart from Pat pocketing money, these countries can control the doping controls and there will never be a positive from these events. The bigger these events become the more they will threaten the European races and they will be under pressure to conform to the corruptness and doping will be back on the menu full time.

just some guy · « **Reply #19 on:** April 21, 2012, 20:07 »

Kroon bashing the UCI again - which is nice

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/kroon-argues-for-changes-to-worldtour-points-system

Dancing on the Pedals · « **Reply #20 on:** May 02, 2012, 07:54 »

Seems like the UCI and the AIGCP are still at loggerheads. Do the UCI seriously have a rule about how long your socks can and can't be?!?! Ridiculous is a totally inadequate word to sum that one up. Still, at least they are looking at drafting behind cars to get back up to the peloton - and interesting take on that from Vaughters. Although I question their sincerity about improving cycling's image, as it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out obviously what the principal black mark against cycling's image is - as Vaughters says. Certainly, when I tell friends that I like cycling, they will instantly refer to the problem-that-dare-not-speak-its-name, and probably wouldn't care less about whether someone has the jersey zipped up or not.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vaughters-to-roche-cyclings-image-has-bigger-issues

benotti69 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 02, 2012, 08:26 »

Quote from: Dancing on the Pedals on May 02, 2012, 07:54

Seems like the UCI and the AIGCP are still at loggerheads. Do the UCI seriously have a rule about how long your socks can and can't be?!?! Ridiculous is a totally inadequate word to sum that one up. Still, at least they are looking at drafting behind cars to get back up to the peloton - and interesting take on that from Vaughters. Although I question their sincerity about improving cycling's image, as it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out obviously what the principal black mark against cycling's image is - as Vaughters says. Certainly, when I tell friends that I like cycling, they will instantly refer to the problem-that-dare-not-speak-its-name, and probably wouldn't care less about whether someone has the jersey zipped up or not.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/vaughters-to-roche-cyclings-image-has-bigger-issues

typical of bad management to try and make big issues of insignificant details rather than deal with the important issues and then clap themselves on the back as they resolve the oh so troubling length of riders socks and their colour.

bicing · « **Reply #22 on:** May 02, 2012, 09:39 »

Don't you guys get it? The sock policy is to make sure people do not have unfair advantages over others due to the aerodynamics of longer socks, and some teams simply can't afford the fabric to make their socks longer.

L'arriviste · « **Reply #23 on:** May 02, 2012, 10:22 »

Ah, isn't that the same Roche of the Stephen Roche School of Cycling Silence, with its headquarters on the French Riviera, affiliated with the Old Boy's Cycling Network of Ireland (the non-profit arm of McQuaid and McQuaid)?

Upgrading the image of cycling by regulating sock length and unzipped jerseys?

Quote from: Roach

At crashes, riders fall and spend five minutes on the ground straightening up their shirt and tie and making sure everything is okay before getting back on the bike again

Um, are we drawing some kind of half-baked analogy with professional fouls in football? Because if we are, I must say that I have never seen a single example of a pro cyclist spreading it on thickly. Send your YouTube evidence in now, folks, and prove me wrong.

benotti69 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 02, 2012, 21:46 »

Quote from: L'arriviste on May 02, 2012, 10:22

Ah, isn't that the same Roche of the Stephen Roche School of Cycling Silence, with its headquarters on the French Riviera, affiliated with the Old Boy's Cycling Network of Ireland (the non-profit arm of McQuaid and McQuaid)?

Upgrading the image of cycling by regulating sock length and unzipped jerseys?

Um, are we drawing some kind of half-baked analogy with professional fouls in football? Because if we are, I must say that I have never seen a single example of a pro cyclist spreading it on thickly. Send your YouTube evidence in now, folks, and prove me wrong.

I have to say Roche's blantant disregard for a rider's wellbeing is appalling.

I dont understand why riders should be penalised by crashes or mechanicals. If a peloton is moving fast and a rider cant use the cavalcade to get back they have no chance and why? Makes no sense but then it is the UCI!

just some guy · « **Reply #25 on:** May 23, 2012, 19:54 »

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11937/McQuaid-defeated-in-IOC-executive-board-vote.aspx

benotti69 · « **Reply #26 on:** May 23, 2012, 20:32 »

Quote from: just some guy on May 23, 2012, 19:54

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11937/McQuaid-defeated-in-IOC-executive-board-vote.aspx

there is hope ;D

I wonder is it a sign McQuaid is on IOC thin ice and depending how things pan out with USADA/Armstrong he might find himself out of favour and out of the IOC. Lets hope it is the beginning of the end.

just some guy · « **Reply #27 on:** June 26, 2012, 20:57 »

China now has fifth most days in UCI’s flagship series behind France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland

The Licenses Commission of the International Cycling Union (UCI) has agreed to grant the new Tour of Hangzhou race a four-year license to be part of its flagship WorldTour series. The five-day race, which will be held in the eastern Zhenjiang province of China between October 17th and 21st, will closely follow the Tour of Beijing, which was organised for the first time last year. With the Giro del Lombardia - now known as il Lombardia -moving forward by more than two weeks this year, the new event will close out the WorldTour and could see fierce competition as teams clamour for points towards next year’s qualification.

just some guy · « **Reply #28 on:** June 26, 2012, 21:01 »

The above was taken from velonation on my phone can not link

Something really wrong with that, if it was Australia or the US i could buy it due the amount of cyclists etc.

Sure they ride bikes is China but 5th most racing days flip off

Havetts · « **Reply #29 on:** June 27, 2012, 00:08 »

What the flip.. Tour of the Hangzhou 4 year world tour contract. I dont even ..

??? ??? ???

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