The UCI headquarters is an impressive structure. It nestles in a valley east of Lake Geneva on the outskirts of the otherwise unknown town of Aigle. The office building of the world cycling federation with adjoining velodrome rises as an elegant mixture of concrete and impressive metal facades. Surrounded by grey-green 2.000m peaks, it radiates serenity.
But composure is something the UCI walls have notoriously failed to see over the past few years, amid all the allegations and scandals that have garnered worldwide media attention. A lot of frustration and distrust finally brought about a change and in September 2013 the time had come. The former President of the British Cycling Federation, British Cycling, was chosen by the UCI Electoral Congress to replace Ireland's Pat McQuaid. 500 days later, it's time for Cyclist to pay a visit to the new man on the cycling front.
Prudent and together
“My style is collaboration and consensus building”, explains the 63-year-old. Cookson sits behind his desk, computer to his right, notepad and phone directly in front of him, folders stacked to his left. "Leadership doesn't mean banging your fist on the table and saying, 'This is how we do it. Either like that or not at all.' For me, leadership is about getting advice from experts, from people who are familiar with the matter. And, of course, to listen to opposing opinions. Then you make a consensus decision.”
It's a succinct description that arguably explains well how he envisions leading the UCI over the next few years. Years when there is a boss (a role he humbly, yet gladly, accepts as his), but with an agenda at a lower, constitutive level. The concept of federalism - and at heart the UCI is a federation - brings Cookson back to his roots.
The basis for this is formed by the 19 UCI commissions, which range from specific topics such as "mountain bike" to "development". Each commission is made up of members employed by the UCI and independents such as professional riders, industry representatives and representatives of the national federations. "All international governing bodies have quite a complex governance structure," explains Cookson. “The committees exist because the 14 members of the Management Committee [the final decision-making body that Cookson chairs] cannot have direct experience in every aspect of the sport. The commissions [each chaired by a member of the management commission] look at an issue together with the UCI experts here on site. Then these commissions make recommendations, on the basis of which the management commission acts.” Cookson is perfectly clear that the ultimate responsibility still lies with him. But by the time a crucial issue lands on his desk, it will have been sufficiently discussed and thought through.
The way up
Cookson's career path to the top has always had an air of inevitability, though he admits: "I often have to pinch myself. If I had been told 40 years ago that I would one day be UCI President..." The highlight of his own racing career was being crowned Road Champion of the Lakeland Division in 1971. "I thought at the time that I would be world champion one day", he admits with a laugh. But his official career began before he even hung up his wheels.
“In 1969, when I was 17 or 18, I organized my first race. I've actually planned races pretty much every year since then, from club level to national championships. I've been involved with the British Cycling Federation since 1981 or 1982, when I was League Secretary for Road Racing and acted as the liaison between organizers and the police. In 1986 I became UCI International Commissioner and have worked on numerous international events.”
Until Cookson became president of the association, he earned his living as a landscape architect, later as an alderman of Pendle Borough Council. “My presidency of British Cycling was honorary”, he says about his 16-year work, which ultimately led to his election to the Management Committee of the World Cycling Union UCI in 2009. A position he held until his candidacy for UCI President in 2013.
“Apart from the last two years when I was semi-retired and worked two days a week at British Cycling, I've always wanted to be full-time. I never worked professionally in cycling until I became UCI President.” Many believe that Cookson's career path to leading the UCI was preordained.
And perhaps Cookson, too, despite his outward modesty, was certain of triumph. In any case, the fact that an IT security company was immediately ready to back up the data at the UCI headquarters when Cookson's election victory was announced speaks for it.
Continue to Part 2: Cookson on dealing with the past in the UCI and the issue of doping >>