Brian Cookson says he did nothing to be ashamed of at British Cycling

UCI boss Brian Cookson has said that he did nothing to be ashamed of or concerned about during his 17 years as president of British Cycling. He also described the damning early draft of the independent review into the culture of British Cycling’s World Class Performance Programme as “only a partial investigation.”

Cookson, who was president of British Cycling from 1997 to 2013, wasn't initially invited to give his views to the independent review.

He therefore approached the panel in January to request an interview following criticism of the organisation’s handling of claims of bullying and discrimination in the draft version of the report.

Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: “I believe that the draft is only a partial investigation and that’s reflected by the content of the draft. I hope that what I have said, along with various others who have now commented, will result in a more balanced final report.”

Cookson declined to comment on suggestions that British Cycling ‘covered up’ an internal review in 2012, saying only: “I think there are too many people commenting on a piece of work that is ongoing.”

However, he expressed confidence that he would earn another term as president of the UCI on September 21.

“The voters around the world will base their assessment of my competence during my four years as president of the UCI.

“I’m happy to stand on that record. I’m happy to stand by my record as president of British Cycling as well. I have not done anything at British Cycling that I am ashamed of or that I’m concerned about.

“I would reject the description of ‘dysfunctional’ [leadership]. I think that it was, and still is, an organisation that evolves and changes, as all organisations need to do. I think any more than that I shouldn’t really say until we see the final result of the report.”