OUTGOING UCI PRESIDENT Pat McQuaid is adamant that he is not breaking the rules by gaining nominations for re-election from federations other than Cycling Ireland.

The Dubliner has received the backing of the Swiss, Moroccan and Thai federations after Cycling Ireland decided not to give him their support and yesterday rival candidate Brian Cookson claimed that his actions “smacked of attempted dictatorship” and were a “sign of desperation”.

However, responding to the allegations on RTE Radio One this morning, McQuaid told Myles Dungan that he is acting within the rules of the UCI.

“There are some journalists, and particularly some Irish journalists, who are giving a completely wrong interpretation on what the rules are,” McQuaid said. “The UCI rules are quite clear and permit anybody to be a member of a number of federations. It also states that any federation can nominate one of its members to be president.

“I’m not breaking any rules, it’s not even bending the rules.”

The Malaysian federation also proposed changes in the nomination process earlier this week – a decision which McQuaid, who revealed he is a member of six or seven federations, says he did not solicit.

“I don’t need the Malaysian proposal. I’ve got the Swiss federation, I’ve got the Moroccan federation and I’ve got the Thai federation. I’ve enough valid nominations to stand for the presidency of the UCI.”

Listen to the full RTE interview here

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