Apparel specialist SKINS has put forward a punchy response to the latest developments in the Lance Armstrong scandal. SKINS Chairman Jamie Fuller opens a latest release on the matter with the following open question: Is Pat McQuaid simply incompetent or is the UCI basically corrupt?
Fuller continues…
The ongoing performance of the UCI in the Lance Armstrong drugs scandal, is nothing short of shambolic. This week, cycling’s governing body took the only decision open to them by confirming their support for USADA’s decision to impose a life ban on Lance Armstrong for using performance enhancing drugs. Armstrong has also been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.
Initially the UCI had indicated they would need all of the 21 days available to them to respond, but this announcement – seven days early – left me feeling it was a moment forced upon them by the sheer weight of public opinion rather than it being the right thing to do. The initial statement contained the bare minimum and it certainly left us all with more questions than answers as in one, dismal hour, they failed to provide me with any confidence that they were capable of putting cycling back on course, they also dodged an ideal opportunity to completely nail allegations that the UCI actually covered up evidence in order to protect Lance Armstrong. Frankly, I have no confidence in any of the senior officers to handle the next stage with impartiality and I certainly don’t trust them to do what is right for the sport in preference to self preservation.
So is the UCI simply incompetent or basically corrupt? It has to be one or the other. It could actually be both.
The full release from SKINS’ Jamie Fuller can be read online…
