Cycling Ireland board member who opposed backing of Pat McQuaid resigns

Anto Moran, Cycling Ireland Vic-President and the one member of its board who last Friday voted against Pat McQuaid’s nomination for re-election as UCI President for a third four-year term has resigned from his position.

McQuaid’s nomination was endorsed by five votes to one, with one member abstaining. In a statement issued today, the national governing body said:

Cycling Ireland today has accepted the resignation of Anthony Moran from the Board of Cycling Ireland. Moran, who was Vice-President of the Board, has been an active Board member since his election in 2009, and Cycling Ireland would like to acknowledge his work, specifically in the area of High Performance and Development.

Cycling Ireland wishes Anthony all the best in his future endeavours, and hope that his resignation will allow him to spend more time enjoying his cycling.

While no firm rival to McQuaid has emerged ahead of September’s election and as we reported on Saturday, Cycling Ireland has called for reforms to the role including a UCI President only being able to serve two terms, its endorsement of his candidacy has been greeted with dismay by many in Ireland and beyond.

That is linked to a widespread feeling that McQuaid and his predecessor as UCI President, Hein Verbruggen, still need to account for the governing body’s role within the Lance Armstrong scandal.

The UCI had established an independent commission to review its role in those events, but controversially disbanded it in January amid a row over its terms of reference before it had even had a chance to hear any evidence.

In a statement published on the UCI website after Cycling Ireland backed him to stand for a third term, McQuaid, describing himself as “delighted and honoured,” said: “I put myself forward to serve another term as UCI President on my record of developing the sport throughout the world and on combating the scourge of doping in cycling.

“I engaged thoroughly with board members on both subjects and I welcome their recognition of my achievements and their confidence in me as UCI President. 


“The board has requested that I raise certain concerns on governance issues with the UCI Management Committee and I have undertaken to do so. 


“I have set an ambitious agenda to continue developing the sport and to ensure that it remains at the forefront of the fight against doping in sport.

“I look forward to presenting myself for election with the support of my national federation and other federations worldwide,” he added.