UCI head wants prominent cycling team leaders to testify on doping

Brian Cookson, president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), says he wants the leaders of two prominent cycling teams to testify before an independent

Brian Cookson, president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), says he wants the leaders of two prominent cycling teams to testify before an independent commission on doping in the sport.

Cookson has asked for Alexandr Vinokourov, the head of Astana, and Bjarne Riis, the leader of Tinkoff-Saxo, to come before the commission. Both men are former riders who tested positive for doping during their cycling careers, leading some to ask whether they should continue to be involved in the sport. 

“I would like both of them to come to the commission,” Cookson told The Guardian at the Tour de France finish in Paris. “The commission doesn’t have powers of subpoena, but there is a court of public opinion here which is really important; those two people and others as well need to bear that in mind if they want to continue to operate in our world, opinion in the world of cycling would be much more favourable towards them if they came forward.”

Vincenzo Nibali, who races for Astana, won this year's Tour de France. Rafał Majka of Tinkoff-Saxo won the King of the Mountains classification at this year's race. 

Cookson also said he was "delighted" Lance Armstrong had testified to the commission, according to the report. 

- Dan Gartland