Must Read: Ullrich says ‘I would give Armstrong the Tour victories back’; Makarov threatens legal action
The German says doping in cycling was "how it was back then"
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
McQuaid faces courtroom challenge to ‘astonishing’ constitution decision — Telegraph
Russian federation president Igor Makarov has promised to pursue legal action to block a proposed rule change to the presidential election procedures at cycling’s world governing body, the UCI.
In a letter written to McQuaid and UCI general director Christophe Hubschmid, and leaked to the Telegraph, Makarov wrote: “I take the opportunity of this letter to inform you that should this unlawful process be maintained, I already intend to challenge, by all legal means, any decision taken by the UCI Congress in this respect and any other infringements to the UCI constitution.”
The Russian was critical of the fact that, he claimed, the UCI Management Committee was not notified earlier of the Malaysian federation’s recommendation that a retroactive amendment to the UCI Constitution be made to allow presidential candidates to be nominated by two federations to which they do not belong. The amendment would benefit McQuaid’s presidential run, as his nomination from the Swiss federation faces legal challenge.
“I am astonished that the management committee members, despite being vested with the most extensive powers as regards the management of the UCI as per the constitution and regulations, have not been informed nor consulted regarding such modification of the electoral process.
“I will always be opposed to any modification that aims to circumvent the democratic principles and to favor one or several individuals to the detriment of the whole cycling community.
“The only person who will take advantage of an ‘anticipated’ modification of Article 51 of the UCI Constitution is undoubtedly, exclusively, the candidate Pat McQuaid.”
Ullrich thinks Armstrong’s Tour wins should be reinstated — Sport Bild magazine
If Jan Ullrich had a say in the matter, there would be no talk of Lance Armstrong taking the jerseys from his seven Tour de France wins off his wall.
He thinks Armstrong’s seven wins, which were taken away by the UCI amid the doping scandal that surrounds the Texan, should be reinstated.
“I would give Armstrong the Tour victories back. … That’s how it was back then,” Ullrich told Sport Bild magazine, as reported by the Associated Press. “It doesn’t help anyone to draw a line through the winners’ list.”
Ullrich himself won the 1997 Tour and this year admitted to doping for part of his career. A French Senate report last week said Ullrich was one of several riders to have tested positive for EPO during the 1998 Tour, in which he finished second.
Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme has said there would be no alternate winners for the 1999-2005 Tours, so Ullrich — who finished second to Armstrong in 2000, 2001, and 2003 — has not been declared the victor by default. Ullrich told the magazine that suits him just fine.
“I only want victories that I’ve experienced on the bike,” he said. “I don’t want to win anything at the green table.”