......as ever GB leading the way and showing what should be done. Let's hope others have the same resolve to follow this example.
You have not dealt with the point about Cookson's failure to address the bung from Lance to the UCI. We also have totally forgotten all the stories about how Lance knew in advance that the testers were about to arrive. Again, the point at issue is at what level was the corruption? How far up/down the UCI pyramid did/does it go ?
For years we had the stated position of the UCI that they knew nothing about the post dated Certificate of exemption from Lance in the 1999 Tour. Now the official UCI position is that they did know about it. This is a factual change of stated position. That is an absolute that needs dragging into the open. Who were the people who knew about that? Did it go to the top ? We are all pretty sure it did, but we don't know. Dead easy - independent commission, taking testimony under oath,all records into the public domain, convened by the current UCI board. Could get the job done in about 4 months. That is something to bring the building down. If it stops Hein getting another cushty job, so what. The guy deserves to be brought as low as Lance. Cookson could be doing this right now. If it takes down Pat and Hein, great. If it takes down the UCI as it exists, well it deserves to go. Not fit for purpose.
Now onto women's cycling - since that was the main part of your response.
A little Englander or GB centric viewer might see it like that. Have a look at the women's circuit around the World. No World Cup events in Canada, New Zealand, Australia, the German and Dutch races that traditionally finish the series - gone. The Giro is is only there on life support because without it there would be nothing and everybody was watching the Italian Federation in February as they attempted to find an organiser to take it on for them. Look at the reporting of it at Cylingnews. It is close to being a joke. For the Swedish Vargarda TTT round last week the field was weak, with several local teams being needed to pack it out. Again, how did Cyclingnews report it ? Not one word of editorial just a list of participants and times. This was a round of the World Cup. If the UCI were serious about supporting the women's scene they would ensure that someone wrote something for World's press. Surely they could spare the £50 for a contract journo to speak to the organiser.
In the UK we are not following we are about one and a half decades late to the party. This last 12 months there has been debate in the UK press. Lizzie did well to air it straight after her event in London. Then I think everyone was so shocked in January when Cookson responded to Cooke's retirement statement with his defence of the indefensible, that it focused a few minds. Could we have a sector of society where there was no minimum wage ? Whilst Cookson was out of the spotlight and could hide his mysogyny, he was happy in his beliefs, probably sharing them with his mates that thought exactly like him. When flushed out into the open, it was obvious that most of society did not hold the same view. Undoubtedly he could not run for office in 2013 without sounding like he was making the right noises. However, he must be thanking his lucky stars he is running against someone as toxic as Pat, because none of the press have thought to ask him to flesh out his ideas. In the meantime a number of people have stepped up to the plate and the plans put forward relating to a women's ToB are indeed pleasing to see. That they cannot be laid at Cookson's door is so evident from the fact that for the last 10 years BC has done nothing to showcase the women's road scene, when it had a number of talents. Surely after Silver and Gold in the TT and RR at Bejing, they could have done something for Pooley and Cooke.
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news...oucle-to-honour-cooke-with-british-start.html How did our "Leading where others follow" BC do with this one ?I think the facts are that this plan died a death.
We have debated here in the past. The 2008 London bid for the women's Tour, to follow the men's start in 2007, as mentioned in that CW story I linked, was shot down in flames by BC. Leading where others follow! I think the facts would indicate exactly the opposite. A male centric organisation that ignored women for far to long, now trying to create a new "year zero". Next you will be telling us they will have a new World's first by having a women's team Sky to go along with the men's team Sky.
