McQuaid open to continue working with TDF

Pat McQuaid, head of the UCI, says he is open to talks between the UCI and the Tour de France organisation and wants to continue working along side them, according to EuroNews, just a week after Patrice Clerc, director of the Tour organisers, ASO, called for McQuaid to be fired from the position for incompetence in regard to the handling of the doping documentation surrounding riders including Michael Rasmussen.

"The organisers (of the Tour de France) have experienced a difficult period on the emotional front. I think that in a few weeks, when every body has calmed down, it will be realized that we need to work together for the welfare of the sport" explained McQuaid. "The Tour de France is the most prestigious race in the world. The riders, and this is more true for the older riders among them, want to come away with a good result, and because of that, they are willing to take risks."

"Cycling is a battlefield in the fight against doping" continued McQuaid, "it is no wonder then that the Tour de France is in the firing line then. If approximately 1200 media personnel follow the race, then it is no wonder that it get blow out of proportion. I think that we will see within two to three years, the sport will have cleaned up. I truly believe that" he concluded.