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David Lappartient of France has replaced Britain’s Brian Cookson as president of the Union Cycliste Internationale. The result was carried live earlier this morning from the UCI’s congress in Bergen, Norway.
Lappartient received 37 out of the 45 available delegate votes.
Lappartient has promised to increase testing for technological "motor doping" fraud and also to strengthen traditional anti-doping. He also said that he would work to advance women’s cycling.
“You just elected me as the president of the Union Cycliste Internationale, and I am very grateful for your support and wish to thank you from the bottom of my heart," said Lappartient to the congress.
“It is a great responsibility and I will endeavour in the next four years of my presidency to be worthy of such trust and deliver my commitment to you."
He added: "The projects that I have proposed to the UCI and which I share with you seems to offer great hope for the future of international cycling."
He also offered an olive branch to Cookson, former president of British Cycling.
“I can imagine [Brian’s] disappointment because I know his interest in our sport which he practices regularly. He will of course always be welcome at the UCI events.”
Turning to the future, he said:
“Change generates fear. It is normal. However, I would like to reconfirm to the UCI employees that I know their value and their professionalism, and we need your expertise and commitment to work with me in delivering [my] four year plan."
