UCI committee exits Madrid

In the latest twist of the ongoing power struggles within cycling's governing body, the UCI, the majority of the organisation's management committee has left Madrid for a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland today and will therefore not attend the opening of the world championships.

The UCI has accused Spain's cycling governing body, the RFEC, of attempting to destabilise the UCI on the eve of its annual congress. According the UCI, the RFEC filed a request with a Swiss court on Friday for the UCI electoral congress to be placed under a 'curatelle' - a form of legal supervision. The UCI alleges this in effect prevents UCI president Hein Verbruggen from supervising the meetings at Madrid which were to have included the selection of a new UCI president.

The UCI presidential succession has become extremely contentious in recent months, with former president of the German cycling federation and current member of the UCI Management Committee, Sylvia Schenk, alleging the organisation breached its own rules in paying Pat McQuaid an allowance to work for the UCI in preparation for his likely election as UCI president. The UCI has strenuously that this breaches its rules, and has announced it is taking legal action against Schenk for defamation.

Cyclingnews coverage of the UCI elections

September 24 - Spain's perspective on UCI election result
September 24 - Darshan Singh retires
September 23 - A wonderful moment for McQuaid
September 23 - McQuaid wins UCI presidential election
September 22 - IOC rejects complaints; Election to go ahead as planned
September 21 - World's opens, Spanish federation explains
September 20 - UCI committee exits Madrid
September 18 - Conflict between Schenk and UCI goes on
September 15 - Moreno not a Grand Tour stooge
September 8 - Baguet explains, Singh files third complaint
September 6 - McQuaid still UCI choice
September 3 - Verbruggen candidate for UCI presidency again
August 31 - Verbruggen nominated for UCI president
August 25 - UCI Ethics Commission meets
August 17 - Darshan Singh protests against UCI elections
Interview with Pat McQuaid: Next in line? Part II
Interview with Sylvia Schenk: Continuing her quest for Law & Order. Part II
August 6 - Moreno aims for presidency role
July 31 - UCI attacks Sylvia Schenk
Interview with Pat McQuaid: ProTour & Phonak, New teams & the UCI succession. Part II