UCI hopeful Brian Cookson vows to offer cyclists doping amnesty

Brian Cookson, the International Cycling Union (UCI) presidential hopeful, has vowed that if he is elected, he will offer cyclists an amnesty should they come clean about doping.

British Cycling president Cookson is challenging incumbent UCI head Pat McQuaid for the presidency in next week's elections in Florence, during the World Championships.

McQuaid has come under fire after a leaked dossier alleged he and UCI predecessor, Hein Verbruggen, accepted bribes and covered up failed dope tests, by former Tour de France winners Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador.

McQuaid has described the allegations against him as "a complete fabrication" and accused his rival of indulging in "gangster politics".

However, since a number of American cyclists turned whistle-blowers and lifted the lid on the doping culture in the US Postal team, which led to Armstrong's downfall, there have been growing calls for a truth and reconciliation commission aimed at giving riders the chance to reveal all the dirty details about what really went on in the peloton.

"We need to define exactly what we mean by [truth and reconciliation] and certainly as part of that we need to have more of an incentive for people to come forward and tell the truth, so I guess there will have to be some sort of amnesty or reduction in sanction," said Cookson.

"Let's not forget that doping in sport is actually against the law and illegal in some countries now, so [we need] to be clear about what level of amnesty and what level of offers we can make to people before we encourage them to tell the truth.