Brian Cookson: 'I’ve got work to do and I’m up for it'
UCI president Brian Cookson says that he has unfinished business as he goes for a second term, but says he would not try for a third
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Brian Cookson has reiterated his desire to run for a second term as UCI president claiming he is unsure if he’ll run opposed in elections later this year.
Speaking at a press conference at the Tour Down Under on Thursday, the 65-year-old was diplomatic when asked to comment on other potential candidates as well as constituents.
“It’s a little bit early to start campaigning at the moment. I don’t know whether there will be any challenges but I’m willing to be a candidate for another four years. I wouldn’t do four after that, I think that’s enough for any human being,” Cookson said.
>>> Brian Cookson set to face French challenge for UCI presidency?
The likes of French Cycling Federation head David Lappartient and Belgian Cycling Federation president Tom Van Damme have been rumoured as potential contenders for the top position that Cookson assumed in 2013 from Irishman Pat McQuaid.
“David is an ambitious young man and may well decide to be a candidate at some stage. If I was him, I’d wait another four years. He’d probably have an extremely good chance, he wouldn’t be opposing me, but it’s a matter for him,” Cookson said of the 43-year-old.
“Taking on a job like this you accept someone else might think they can do a better job. I’m not complacent, but I’m relaxed. If there is a political fight to be had then I’ll fight, but I don’t think we need that in our sport.
“We had a very controversial election campaign four years ago and frankly I think we’d be better not going down that road again. But that’s for other people to decide. I’ve said I’m willing to continue, I’ve got work to do and I’m up for it.”
Cookson won the last election with a manifesto to make anti-doping procedures fully independent and pursue an investigation (the estimated €3 million, 228-page CIRC report) into the sport’s doping culture, following Lance Armstrong’s explosive demise that at the time implicated top brass.
“If we look back, things were in a disastrous state,” Cookson said. “We’ve done a lot of work in rebuilding the image and integrity of the sport. It’s not perfect yet, we’ve still got some way to go. But if I look at the anti-doping situation, I think we’ve got now really good processes that are genuinely independent. There is no possibility of conflicts of interest, no way in which I could interfere in the process, even if I wanted to, which I don’t.”
The former British Cycling president wouldn’t be moved on what his manifesto for another term may detail but cited work including developments in women’s cycling, WorldTour and track programme reviews enacted under his tenure.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, broadcaster and author of Pain & Privilege: Inside Le Tour. She follows the WorldTour circuit, working for British, Australian and US press, and has covered 10 Tours de France.
-
-
Restrap Race Top Tube Bag review - plenty of storage space without getting in the way of your knees
The rigid construction of this bag helps it keep its streamlined shape
By Anna Marie Abram • Published
-
Ask a cycling coach: 'Does cycling improve muscular strength?'
And, on the flipside, just how much would a focus on developing muscular strength improve your cycling?
By James Spragg • Published
-
Russian team takes UCI to court over ban
Banned team Gazprom-RusVelo awaits verdict from the Court of Arbitration for Sport
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
CW Live: Olympic champion joins Women's WorldTour; Tom Pidcock tips Van Aert for Cyclo-cross Worlds; Arkéa-Samsic boss 'very interested' in Julian Alaphilippe; Deadline for 2024 Olympics tickets; LEJOG record holder back cycling after hit-and-run
A round-up of all the latest cycling news
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Brian Cookson says British Cycling has been ‘damaged’ by outsiders with ‘no real knowledge’ of cycling
Former president of UK cycling governing body says current leadership has ‘no empathy’ with people who ‘make cycling happen’
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
UCI revises points system to give more weighting to Grand Tours and Monuments
Cycling's governing body publishes major changes to its points scale for the coming three-year cycle
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
UCI boosts anti-doping funding by 35%
Financial backing of anti-doping programme to rise by 35 percent over the next two years
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Opinion: The UCI is failing on climate change that's why vague promises are all it can offer
A promising start from the world governing body, although pledges still feel a little weak
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Brian Cookson says more 'heads must roll' at British Cycling as CEO leaves
Former UCI and British Cycling president says BC chair needs to take some responsibility for ‘unfortunate controversies’ in 2022
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
Glasgow needs you: UCI World Championships seek volunteers for 2023
The event, scheduled for August 2023, will be the largest cycling world championships in history.
By Tom Davidson • Published