U.S. places five in UCI Commissions

By Mark Zalewski, North American Editor

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has appointed five new U.S. representatives to various commissions. The UCI commissions are responsible for the oversight of rules and regulations and the overall management of the growth and success of the sport of cycling worldwide.

USA Cycling chief executive officer Gerard Bisceglia was appointed to the three-person Solidarity Commission, which is responsible for the overall advancement of cycling in developing countries. Sean Petty, USA Cycling chief of staff, was appointed to the seven-member Road Commission, which oversees the development of road racing worldwide with the exception of the UCI Pro Tour teams and events.

Alison Dunlap, 2001 World mountain bike champion and two-time Olympian, was named as rider representative to the four-member Mountain Bike Commission, which oversees all of the various mountain bike disciplines, while Adam Hodges-Myerson was named to the Cyclo-cross Commission.

The United States now has two positions on the five-person BMX Commission as new member Gary Ream will represent the discipline of BMX freestyle in addition to the National Bicycle League's managing director Bob Tedesco, who continues to serve on the BMX commission. BMX was added to the program for 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

"This is obviously a significant honor to have so much American representation on these various commissions," USA Cycling president Jim Ochowicz said in a statement. "It really emphasises the respect that our nation is shown when it comes to the sport of cycling beyond just the field of play."