Verbruggen nominated for UCI president again

The Dutch cycling federation (KNWU) has given its support for Hein Verbruggen as a candidate for the UCI presidency again. The election will take place in Madrid on September 23, and it's long been thought that Verbruggen would step down in favour of the UCI's supported candidate Pat McQuaid, Malaysian Darshan Singh, or Spaniard Gregorio Moreno. But at the 11th hour, the KNWU has put Verbruggen's name back in the hat for a possible fourth term.

"It's more to show that for us, he doesn't have to disappear," said KNWU president Joop Atsma to ANP. "We place a lot of value in the work that he has done. We have to present it to him formally and keep the possibility open if he decides to definitely do it."

Verbruggen is currently in South America, and after thanking the KNWU for its faith in him, said that he would make a decision later whether to accept his position as presidential candidate. "I want to stay with the UCI but in another role," he added.

Verbruggen's presence may help to stabilise the UCI elections, which have come under fire from ex-UCI management committee member Sylvia Schenk for being unfair, because of "expenses paid" to Pat McQuaid by the UCI. Schenk's view is shared by Darshan Singh, and she has taken her complaint to both the UCI and IOC ethics committees.