UCI top brass fly back to Madrid

UCI president Hein Verbruggen will preside over the election meeting. Verbruggen’s favoured candidate – Pat McQuaid of Ireland – will likely win.

In a further development that will please the UCI, the International Olympic Committee has rejected the unethical conduct complaints against Verbruggen and McQuaid brought by former UCI insiders Sylvia Schenk and Darshan Singh.

A statement from the UCI said: "The UCI would also like to express its profound acknowledgement to International Federations, National Federations and other sports organizations, as well as a number of cycling and sports personalities, who have addressed many solidarity messages in the last few days.

The UCI finally desires that, despite the destabilization campaign it has been facing for the last past weeks, the Congress will unfold in a peaceful and respectful atmosphere for the respect of cycling’s highest interests."