Pat McQuaid calls Brian Cookson's UCI president candidature 'odd'

In a letter to the national federations, President Pat McQuaid questioned Brian Cookson's decision to run against him in the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) elections this autumn.

"I must admit," McQuaid wrote, "that I find Mr Cookson's decision to be an odd one for a number of different reasons."

Cookson, the president of British Cycling, announced on Tuesday he would run against McQuaid's re-election bid.

McQuaid said that Cookson already promised in January he would not run and that "underhand activities" prompted his candidature. He added that Wojciech Walkiewicz, a former UCI Management Committee member, Igor Makarov, current member and team Katusha CEO, are behind Cookson's bid.

"I fear," McQuaid wrote, "Mr Cookson may be a pawn in a larger game."

McQuaid's letter: http://goo.gl/UsS2x

Team RadioShack owner to sell WorldTour licence to Trek

RadioShack-Leopard owner, Flavio Becca, will sell his team's first division licence to Trek Bicycle for 2014, according to Tageblatt. Trek, wrote the Luxembourg newspaper yesterday, will restructure the team around stars Fabian Cancellara and Andy Schleck.

Luca Guercilena will continue to manage the team, which will be without Andy's brother, Fränk Schleck. Schleck tested positive for diuretic Xipamide at last year's Tour de France. Becca, according to Tageblatt, will annul his contract in the coming weeks.

The article goes against rumours that Cancellara and Trek would join second division, Swiss team, IAM Cycling.

Garmin-Sharp signs American amateur, Phil Gaimon

Team Garmin-Sharp announced yesterday that it signed amateur racer, American Phil Gaimon.

"Having watched Phil race over the past few years we know he is a great, versatile rider with a huge amount of talent," said team CEO, Jonathan Vaughters. "And beyond that, he is also funny, smart and unique addition to the team."

Vini Fantini says it will continue despite doping cases

Italian team Vini Fantini-Selle Italia will continue despite recent doping cases at the Giro d'Italia.

A press release yesterday read, "The team, despite the cases of [Danilo] Di Luca and [Mauro] Santambrogio that have partially undermined the serenity of the team, will continue in its project, so in 2013 as in 2014."

Di Luca and Santambrogio both tested positive for EPO in controls stemming from the Giro d'Italia. Santambrogio won the mountain stage to Jafferau and placed ninth overall before the result was announced.

Vini Fantini, however, turned down its invitation to race the Tour of Lombardy out of respect for Giro d'Italia organiser, RCS Sport.

Sky signs Tasmanian Earle

Team Sky contracted another Tasmanian alongside Richie Porte, announcing on Tuesday that Nathan Earle will join in 2014.

"Nathan

has proven he is a great climber and has been winning quite a few races

in Australia and Asia in the last 12 months," Head of Performance

Support, Tim Kerrison said in a press release. "The Australian system

has identified him physiologically as being a real talent and we're

starting to see that with his results on the road."

"To be riding

alongside the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Richie Porte is

a real honour," added the 24-year-old Aussie amateur. "Richie has

always been someone I've looked up to since riding with him as

team-mates. It's a real inspiration to see how he has progressed whilst

at Team Sky and I hope to follow in his footsteps."