Paris-Nice Consequences

iainf72

UCI Press Release here

Wish we had some independent reports of the Treviso meeting.

In other news, the Ivory Coastlike Pat.

Bronzie

iainf72 wrote:

In other news, the Ivory Coastlike Pat.

"The President of the International Cycling Union (UCI), Pat McQuaid, has been promoted to the grade of Commander in the Order of the Ivory Coast Sporting Merit. This high distinction was awarded to Mr McQuaid by the Ivory Coast’s Minister of Youth, Sport and Leisure, Mr. Dagobert Banzio, after the Tour ivoirien de la Paix, which took place from 7th – 12th March."

WTF - That sounds like a 419-scam:
"Dear Mr McQuaid, I am Dagobert Banzio Minister of Sport for Ivory Coast. Due to the unexpected death of the current incumbent in a traffic accident, our council have voted for you to become the next Commander in the Order of the Ivory Coast Sporting Merit. In order to receive the office of this prestigious post, certain administrative formalities need to be completed for which there is a small administration charge. So please deposit 500,000 euros in a brown paper bag and leave in the rubbish bin around the corner from the Swiss Embassy in Ivory Coast."

andy_wrx

Doesn't he look lovely with that gong round his neck.

Oh well, he'll have somewhere he's welcome to go to when he finally p*sses off and leaves cycling alone.

Titanium

Verbruggen / McQuaid have done well to take cycling beyond Europe. It has always had a following in other parts of the world and the Armstrong story brought many into the sport, so you can argue the UCI has ridden the wave but credit to them for trying.

That is no excuse for the current mess and they should be ashamed for the failure to tackle doping and the infantile behavior and war by press release. There is no point trying to widen the sport to attract global audiences and international corporate sponsors if these guys can't deal direct with the Tour de France guys.