
(ATR) The former head of UCI says a recent report on cycling’s doping past "is incomplete and biased and it doesn’t respect basic ethical principles."
Hein Verbruggen, UCI president from 1991 to 2005, took to his website on Wednesday to post a lengthy rebuttal to the Cycling Independent Reform Commission report that was released in March. He also implied that a lawsuit is on the way.
"Based on this expert evaluation, the UCI has been informed that legal action is likely to follow," Verbruggen said.
The case is summed up through 11 points in an executive summary, many of which assert that the report "aims at destroying not only my person and reputation … but also 15 years of hard work by many people devoted to the cause of cycling and anti-doping."
Other points says the report lacked objectivity and neutrality and left out certain facts for the benefit of UCI. Verbruggen also denies that any preferential treatment was given to Lance Armstrong, including the cover-up of positive tests.
The attack on UCI is an about face from Verbruggen’s comments in March upon the report’s release when he said he was "satisfied" with the findings.
"I am very satisfied that the report confirms what I have always said," Verbruggen told Around the Rings in March. "There was no corruption, complicity or cover-ups in that [Armstrong] case or in any other case."
The CIRC report calls Verbruggen an "autocratic" leader and says the federation lacked good governance on issues of anti-doping during his time with UCI, which he said was "not very fair."
"There was no WADA [at the time], no guiding party. The commission admits several times that we were not that bad … and better than other federations at certain moments," he said.
UCI president Brian Cookson says the federation stands by the 227-page report as written.
"If Mr. Verbruggen wishes to sue the UCI, that of course is a matter for him. However, I am absolutely comfortable with the fact that the CIRC report was a wholly independent investigation led by an extremely reputable and experienced team of experts.
"Their report and recommendations have been very helpful in rebuilding trust in cycling and the UCI."
Written by Nick Devlin
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
Últimas Noticias
Boxing’s place in the Olympics remains in peril as IOC still unhappy with the state of AIBA’s reform efforts
The IOC says issues concerning governance, finance, and refereeing and judging must be sorted out to its satisfaction. AIBA says it’s confident that will happen and the federation will be reinstated.

McLaren report to FIBA confirms abuses in the Mali women’s basketball program
The investigation could not “independently verify” allegations against FIBA president Hamane Niang, who has resumed his duties after stepping aside during the probe.

ATR Extra: 1st ISF U15 World School Sport Games – Belgrade 2021
Olympic Channel is live streaming the basketball, basketball 3x3, football, judo and wrestling competitions during the event, which runs September 11-19.

International Judo Federation bans Algerian athlete and coach for 10 years for refusing to fight an Israeli at Tokyo 2020
Judoka Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef admitted they were withdrawing from competition to avoid a potential match with Tohar Butbul of Israel.

IIHF bans Belarus hockey president for five years for code of conduct violations - Federation Focus
Also: no contested election for next ITTF president; BWF calendar shrinks as event in India cancelled due to pandemic; FISU announces early bids for 2027 and 2029 World University Games
