McQuaid nominated unanimously by Switzerland (read warning post #78)

CramCycle

buffalo wrote: »

Don't forget the Orwell EGM tonight - 7.30pm in the Milltown Institute.

Don't forget to remind them that the EGM is important as ever, despite what Pat and the media would have you believe.

morana

CramCycle wrote: »

Don't forget to remind them that the EGM is important as ever, despite what Pat and the media would have you believe.

Yes it is as important as ever.

I must apologise to Orwell members that we didnt have a document for them in advance of the meeting. We started compiling reasons not to vote and it was approx 40 a4 pages! We have it down to 28 but need to refine further.

Best of luck with it tonight

buffalo

morana wrote: »

Yes it is as important as ever.

I must apologise to Orwell members that we didnt have a document for them in advance of the meeting. We started compiling reasons not to vote and it was approx 40 a4 pages! We have it down to 28 but need to refine further.

Best of luck with it tonight

Reasons not to vote, or reasons not to vote in favour?

If you email it to me, I can read out some highlights.

morana

buffalo wrote: »

Reasons not to vote, or reasons not to vote in favour?

If you email it to me, I can read out some highlights.

yeah well spotted. Always vote!

buffalo

There was a majority vote at the Orwell EGM against in the ratio 6:1, and all our delegates will be voting against at the CI EGM. I'm proud that the committee decided to consult the members on this one, and the members responded.

There was a smaller turn-out than I expected. ~100 people emailed the club secretary calling for the EGM, two-thirds of whom didn't show up when it counted. Some of those 100 weren't Orwell members apparently, and obviously there are those with valid excuses - I nearly didn't go myself because an old friend from the States was in town for one night, but I got stood up. But it seems there's a whole host of people who do actually fall into the 'keyboard warrior' category.

I wonder if most of those were put off by the McQuaid's Swiss role, and have 'given up' to an extent. He'll get in one way or another, sure what's the point of voting? To which I say:
a) it might matter in the end, so make sure you make your voice heard,
b) and even if it doesn't matter, it sends a message about what CI stands for.

joker77

It was a pretty disappointing turnout. But then again - the turnout hasn't been much higher for the club AGM the last couple of years, so maybe it was to be expected.

The main thing is that there are 6 delegates from Orwell with a vote each going to the Cycling Ireland EGM on the 15th June, and have a democratic mandate from the club's members to vote against nominating Pat McQuaid for a 3rd term.

Do we fall into the category of a 'small group of people' who have 'politicised' the nomination?

CramCycle

buffalo wrote: »

I wonder if most of those were put off by the McQuaid's Swiss role, and have 'given up' to an extent. He'll get in one way or another, sure what's the point of fighting? To which I say, it
a) might matter in the end, so make sure you make your voice heard,
b) and even if it doesn't matter, it sends a message about what CI stands for.

Even if the swiss thing were done and dusted (which I don't think it is), it is important that it is put to rest as a matter of record. We either support him or we don't. Personally, I don't, but if the membership who care enough to turn up and vote, give him a majority, then I would be happy with that.

Beasty

Just to add to Cram's comments - the "Swiss thing" is definitely not done and dusted. The CI EGM remains crucial in determining whether McQuaid will get a momination, and hence it's important for clubs to consult their membership, as Orwell have done, to select delegates and determine how those delegates will vote

I am already hearing of clubs that have decided which way to vote without asking their members. If your club has not asked you and you have a view on the matter, let them know your feelings - your committee may not even know you care if you don't.

bazermc

More rubbish from McQuaid today;

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/cycling-made-mistakes-armstrong-affair-says-uci-head-100958862.html

GlennaMaddy

bazermc wrote: »

More rubbish from McQuaid today;

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/news/cycling-made-mistakes-armstrong-affair-says-uci-head-100958862.html

"There is a change in the peloton. Every little thing I am bringing in is making a difference."
Too little too late Pat, you've let us down badly

RobFowl

GlennaMaddy wrote: »

"There is a change in the peloton. Every little thing I am bringing in is making a difference."
Too little too late Pat, you've let us down badly

"No, because I firmly believe I am making a difference. I want to eradicate doping. I want to see this thing through. I want to finish what I started."
Pat McQuaid

"At every turn the UCI attempted to obstruct our efforts to reveal the truth," Travis Tygart CEO of USADA, regarding the LA investigation

One of those two is sorely mistaken.........

Inquitus

RobFowl wrote: »

"No, because I firmly believe I am making a difference. I want to eradicate doping. I want to see this thing through. I want to finish what I started."
Pat McQuaid

"At every turn the UCI attempted to obstruct our efforts to reveal the truth," Travis Tygart CEO of USADA, regarding the LA investigation

One of those two is sorely mistaken.........

Can you really trust a man who's first name is Travis?

ednwireland

Inquitus wrote: »

Can you really trust a man who's first name is Travis?

i'm convinced ! vote for pat

Bunnyhopper

Inquitus wrote: »

Can you really trust a man who's first name is Travis?

Are you talkin' to him?

Beasty

The latest twist

From Velonation

Although the federation announced on May 16th that the board had unanimously decided to back McQuaid, VeloNation understands that this may not actually be the case.

A view shared by certain others;)

So, as already alluded to, it looks like Switzerland is not a "done deal"

I am sure there will be more twists yet, but this just re-emphasises the critical importance of the CI EGM

Beasty

Laios CC vote 16-0 against McQuaid's nomination

Pretty good "turnout" in their online poll - total potential voters - 29

thebionicdude

This came out this morning:

The Pat McQuaid File: Why Cycling Ireland should reject his nomination for UCI President.

http://bit.ly/McQuaidFile

There are lots of No arguments in it. It should help to inform the debate.

RobFowl

A fine piece of work ;-) seriously a lot of work went into this and the evidence and arguments are compelling

viswijf

I just joined boards to say well done to all who involved into producing this. Anyone of the issues it raises would be enough to make his position untenable that he has a chance of being re-elected beggars belief . He is a throwback to the pre-information age time when committies were a law unto themselves and could bully and stymie all opposition or dissent. Does he actually realise how much people know about this? Has the man no moral compass?

MrCreosote

thebionicdude wrote: »

This came out this morning:

The Pat McQuaid File: Why Cycling Ireland should reject his nomination for UCI President.

http://bit.ly/McQuaidFile

There are lots of No arguments in it. It should help to inform the debate.

RobFowl wrote: »

A fine piece of work ;-) seriously a lot of work went into this and the evidence and arguments are compelling

I would just like to thank whoever put the bit in about triathlon saving cycling!

Completely true, but sadly overlooked by many cycling fans. Nothing better than going for an aul' bike with a swim and run on either side of it.

ashleey

MrCreosote wrote: »

I would just like to thank whoever put the bit in about triathlon saving cycling!

Completely true, but sadly overlooked by many cycling fans. Nothing better than going for an aul' bike with a swim and run on either side of it.

Heretic

Inquitus

MrCreosote wrote: »

I would just like to thank whoever put the bit in about triathlon saving cycling!

Completely true, but sadly overlooked by many cycling fans. Nothing better than going for an aul' bike with a swim and run on either side of it.

He's a witch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrzMhU_4m-g

Dermot Illogical

MrCreosote wrote: »

Nothing better than going for an aul' bike with a swim and run on either side of it.

Splitter!

Joxer_S

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/report-cookson-to-run-for-uci-presidency

This is a very positive development, I was getting the impression that nobody was willing to challenge McQuaid given the perceived strength of support for him, particularly in developing countries (from a cycling perspective).

ratracer

Any inside scoop from Switzerland yet? Sticky bottle posting little teasers on their Facebook page.

Vino Veritas

has anyone thought of the proposed Corporate alternative to McQuaid - or are we all sheep chasing Pat , get ready to pay for your cycling..

pprendeville

Very concisely written report. Well done. Can't see how anyone can argue against it. How many presidential positions does PMc hold?

That GCP thing is a bit of a joke alright. <snip> . Report hits nail on head - for globalisation of sport it needs globally recognised sponsors but at the moment they don't want the negative association with cycling. So this EGM will be NB.

thebionicdude

pprendeville wrote: »

How many presidential positions does PMc hold?

Three. He is President of the UCI. Under auspices of the UCI he is President of Global Cycling Promotions and Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation.

GCP is the UCI's vehicle to promote professional cycling globally for profit. CADF runs the drug-testing. Some people wonder whether one doesn't conflict with the other.

GCP's focus on China arose out of contacts Verbruggen and McQuaid attained from the Beijing Olympics. The Olympics were in 2008 and GCP was created in 2009. The Tour of Beijing its first race in 2011.

thebionicdude

An Update on Swiss situation was tagged on at the end of the following SB article by Shane Stokes:
http://www.stickybottle.com/latest-news/game-on-british-cyclings-brian-cookson-to-challenge-pat-mcquaid-for-uci-presidency/

To quote:
"On May 16th that federation announced that it would back him. Stickybottle understands that some board members were not happy with that announcement, feeling that it did not actually reflect what was agreed at the time.

They called for another board meeting, satisfying the requirement that a minimum of three members are needed to bring such an action about. That meeting was due to be held this evening but was ultimately cancelled after those three members were told that others would not attend. A minimum of five votes would have been needed to overturn what was announced on May 16th and, with the numbers not adding up, the meeting did not proceed.

It is unclear whether those concerned members will take any further action, but stickybottle understands that Australian businessman Jamie Fuller of the Change Cycling Now pressure group is exploring legal avenues to challenge Swiss Cycling’s apparent endorsement of McQuaid.

Whether or not that action takes place, the news that Cookson is now stepping forward means that McQuaid has a real battle ahead."

What to make of that? In the least it seems certain that the Board of Swiss Cycling is divided on how to process McQuaid's request for nomination.

Also, Jaimie Fuller of SKINS/Change Cycling Now wishes to legally challenge Swiss endorsement of McQuaid.
@jaimiefuller:
plse RT
wanted: member swiss cycle to front legal challenge to swiss endorse of pat. SKINS will fund & do all work. jaimie.fuller@skins.net

More drama to come it seems! The EGM remains crucial.

Junior

Brian Cookson from the UK has stepped forward as another candidate.. http://www.briancookson.org/en/

Beasty

Junior wrote: »

Brian Cookson from the UK has stepped forward as another candidate.. http://www.briancookson.org/en/

He's taken to Twitter - 800+ followers within a couple of hours
@cooksonforuci

Beasty

McQuaid's retort

It's getting interesting ...

happytramp

Beasty wrote: »

McQuaid's retort

It's getting interesting ...

Apparently I'm a 'activist'. I hope no one tells my parents.

Beasty

I hate to think what he's been calling me in private, but on the other hand I guess it gives me some pleasure when I realise he thinks so much of me ...:pac:

buffalo

I must also express my extreme concern about a donation of almost
€1million made by Mr Makarov’s company, Itera, to the UEC within weeks of the UEC elections. Given all of the accompanying activities, it is important to know what the true nature and purpose of this donation is

Odd concern coming from a man who accepted two donations from Lance Armstrong, and denies that there was any underhand motive at play. And said he'd have no problem accepting such donations from riders in future.

TinyExplosions

Beasty wrote: »

McQuaid's retort

It's getting interesting ...

Some cheek on him...

I must also express my extreme concern about a donation of almost
€1million made by Mr Makarov’s company, Itera, to the UEC

what about a 250k (or was it more?) donation by Armstrong he took...

Joxer_S

For all his bluster about the UCI being a democracy it's almost comical to see his autocratic nature become more and more apparent, or it would be comical if I didn't think it was important. His immediate reaction to being challenged is to attempt to undermine his opponents integrity.

His tactic of attacking Brian Cookson for changing his mind on deciding to run speaks volumes about McQuaids inability to to accept any criticism of the UCI in the face of overwhelming evidence of if not corruption, at least serious failures in management. Poor Pat still thinks the sun revolves around the earth. Undermining your opponent isn't exactly an unusual political stroke to pull, but in the context of McQuaids constant doublespeak and protestations of innocence, it seems like every time the man opens his mouth he's affirming the swell of support against him.

I don't know much about Brian Cookson, and had never heard of him before yesterday. I don't believe voting for him just because he isn't Pat McQuaid is correct, but his track record seems very strong. If any one could shed some more light on his achievements and his specifically what his role was in the resurgence of British cycling that would be great.

ashleey

happytramp wrote: »

Apparently I'm a 'activist'. I hope no one tells my parents.

Don't 'activists' turn up at G8 meetings in motorcycle helmets and fight the police?

Joxer_S

While strongly refuting any suggestions of impropriety in his treatment of Jewish citizens, Adolf Hitler repeatedly referred to the successful expansion of the autobahn network as grounds for his re-election.


... :pac:

http://tinyurl.com/6cnjm

Chips Lovell

What an odd letter.

He spends most of it going after Walkiewicz and Makarov. The only thing he can say about Cookson is that he may have had a meeting with them.

I often wonder if he has anyone advising him. Because, in a sense, he's his own worst enemy. He would have actually faired much better over the past few years if he'd said nothing.

pelevin

With McQuaid I go from finding him deeply off-putting - autocratic and blatantly dingenuous - to cooling off and thinking Ah well, there's no hope and maybe in spite of appearances he's not quite as bad as he seems. This easing off ends more or less the moment I delve a little deeper into affairs.
The McQuaid retort link above for instance, for a while of reading it I thought it must be a parody, so ugly and paranoid is the mentality of what I was reading. Everyone in Ireland opposed to his candidacy is portrayed as some kind of evil lowlife, an enemy of democracy, etc . . . & then Cookson is effectively slandered as something more of the same, if only a pawn in a game the poor deluded 'innocent' Cookson is unaware of.

I think McQuaid probably does believe, like more famous political tyrants, his worldview completely, & within that worldview the good of the UCI has become incarnated in his own being, & anyone who is critical of or opposed to that is by definition ignoble, in essence a villainous servant of evil. Thus the language of 'activists', etc.

So on the one hand McQuaid is blatantly disingenuous in that what he comes out with defies any sense of fairness, like dismissing to the wider world the democratic call for an EGM regarding his UCI nomination as the actions of a small ugly lunatic fringe, when he must have known it was clearly representative of a very large sector of the cycling community in Ireland. But this 'disingenuousness' is actually somehow the real, emotionally authentic response of McQuaid to what are for him and his worldview threats to Cycling and Goodness in the form of himself.
It's all kind of the psychology of Power corrupts in relation to political type organisations, and McQuaid seems a pretty extreme example of the self-deifying dictator psyche within that field.

el tel

I don't think I've ever read anything so paranoid and defensive. Is that for real? If yes, the guy's a bull in a China shop, what a dunderhead.

pprendeville

Pretty offensive to be labelled an activist just because you have an opinion, particularly when that opinion is based on a lot of insurmountable evidence as laid out in the McQuaid file.

As to Cookson changing his mind, is not McQuaid the chameleon of the cycling world when it comes to changing his mind.

The only thing I would say is that he does have a fair point about that €1m donation. Last thing that's needed is more controversy if a new president is elected only to find out there is a bribe scandal.

Just reflecting on this thread, I wonder would it be more beneficial for a website to be set up so people can access the McQuaid file and other updates more easily. I think the nature of the situation needs something more dedicated than a boards.ie thread and mentions on cycling websites.

pprendeville

In relation to Brian Cookson, he has been British Cycling's President since 1997. No matter how good you are in any role I think the role particularly of president needs to rotate so this is kind of worrying for me already.

12 sprocket

pprendeville wrote: »

Pretty offensive to be labelled an activist just because you have an opinion, particularly when that opinion is based on a lot of insurmountable evidence as laid out in the McQuaid file.

pprendiville
I think if people read the mc quaid file closely what it is is a document of the groups Opinions and speculations mainly, rather than insurmountable evidince

for example just read this first part and it goes on in a similar vein from there.. I have highlighted the key words in red and I have put on the tin hat preparing for the onslaught.

we believe there have been huge issues with regards to Governance and Doping in cycling. In addition, it is our opinion that the UCI has engaged in mission creep regarding the Globalisation of the sport.

We believe the conflict of interest between anti-doping and promotion of the sport has never been addressed. Anti-doping measures appear to be introduced on the back of yet another crisis. We find it regrettable that the UCI comes across as reactionary, not pro-active in the fight against doping. We think that the UCI’s anti-doping efforts have been too narrowly focused on riders as opposed to managers, teams and doctors. What’s more, it is our belief that the UCI is reluctant to pursue global stars who become the key asset in its globalisation strategy. It is our view that this sends a bad message to young cyclists considering whether to dope or not. The UCI’s actions have resulted in short term commercial gains, however, these gains appear quickly lost in the destructive aftermath of doping scandals. We believe the UCI’s public feuding with Anti-Doping agencies such as WADA and USADA cast it in a terrible light. The UCI appears to lack leadership.

pelevin

Does anyone here agree with McQuaid belittling to the wider world the successful call for an EGM in Ireland regarding his nomination as solely the work of a kind of lunatic fringe it is beneath his dignity to engage with. I would have thought the dissatisfaction with McQuaid in Ireland exercised by democratic means was undeniably reflective of a very large section of the cycling community rather thabn being simply the actions of a small group of entirely negatively motivated 'activists'.
Does 12 Sprocket consider for instance that McQuaid is actually the genuine democratic choice of the Irish cycling public, but it's just that McQuaid for some reason ran instead to the Swiss for fear this democratic process might give the wrong undemocratic result?
This is how McQuaid summed up the democratic campaign yesterday in his letter to the cycling federations:

"First, it is clear that a small group of activists has banded together to try, by whatever means,
to hijack and derail my candidature in the coming election. Their agenda is narrow and
negative. They have nothing positive or constructive to offer in discussions about cycling’s
future."

morana

@12Sprocket

Whats your views on him going to the Swiss?

By the way I respect your position I wont attack it but may have in the past and if I did I apologise for particularly calling you "deluded" although I know you will appreciate I had the "knifing in the back" accusation at that board meeting. Lets move on.

morana

pelevin wrote: »

Does anyone here agree with McQuaid belittling to the wider world the successful call for an EGM in Ireland regarding his nomination as solely the work of a kind of lunatic fringe it is beneath his dignity to engage with. I would have thought the dissatisfaction with McQuaid in Ireland exercised by democratic means was undeniably reflective of a very large section of the cycling community rather thabn being simply the actions of a small group of entirely negatively motivated 'activists'.
Does 12 Sprocket consider for instance that McQuaid is actually the genuine democratic choice of the Irish cycling public, but it's just that McQuaid for some reason ran instead to the Swiss for fear this democratic process might give the wrong undemocratic result?

lets wait and see what the result is first before we can judge if Pat is the Irish peoples choice!

pelevin

morana wrote: »

lets wait and see what the result is first before we can judge if Pat is the Irish peoples choice!

But I'm not saying he would have been the choice or not but what is undeniable is that McQuaid chose to go a different route, ie the Swiss, and has chosen to portray any dissatisfaction with his nomination in Ireland as representing solely a negatively minded small bunch of activists. However the vote in the EGM would have gone McQuaid's portrayal of how things stood/stand in Ireland is blatantly disingenuous and insulting to the Irish cycling community. As a measure of the man, I find such behaviour deeply off-putting.

RobFowl

Hi 12 Sprocket
I am one of the signatories (will PM you and tell you who if you like but prefer not to be publicly "outed").
The advice we got was and out experience in writing papers (extensive in writing academic papers ) is that this is the way summaries and interpretations are written.
You set out the evidence as you see it and then give your opinion on what it means.
Nothing is ever 100% black and white so you simply can't say it is.
I do believe the evidence is extremely strong and would alos appreciate your opinion on whether bypassing the Irish EGM and going to the Swiss was correct?
PS have also been accused of stabbing people in the back (not by you) and it's not something I would say so really don't like being accused of it either,

12 sprocket wrote: »

pprendiville
I think if people read the mc quaid file closely what it is is a document of the groups Opinions and speculations mainly, rather than insurmountable evidince

for example just read this first part and it goes on in a similar vein from there.. I have highlighted the key words in red and I have put on the tin hat preparing for the onslaught.

we believe there have been huge issues with regards to Governance and Doping in cycling. In addition, it is our opinion that the UCI has engaged in mission creep regarding the Globalisation of the sport.

We believe the conflict of interest between anti-doping and promotion of the sport has never been addressed. Anti-doping measures appear to be introduced on the back of yet another crisis. We find it regrettable that the UCI comes across as reactionary, not pro-active in the fight against doping. We think that the UCI’s anti-doping efforts have been too narrowly focused on riders as opposed to managers, teams and doctors. What’s more, it is our belief that the UCI is reluctant to pursue global stars who become the key asset in its globalisation strategy. It is our view that this sends a bad message to young cyclists considering whether to dope or not. The UCI’s actions have resulted in short term commercial gains, however, these gains appear quickly lost in the destructive aftermath of doping scandals. We believe the UCI’s public feuding with Anti-Doping agencies such as WADA and USADA cast it in a terrible light. The UCI appears to lack leadership.