Pat McQuaid, Hein Verbruggen happy to be cleared of cycling corruption allegations in independent report
Dutchman, however, labels criticism in report that he protected Lance Armstrong as cheap shot
Two former presidents of the International Cycling Union expressed relief on Monday that an independent commission had cleared them of corruption, but Dutchman Hein Verbruggen said claims he failed to do enough to combat doping were unfair.
The Cycling Independent Reform Commission (CIRC) was set up following allegations of corruption to cover up disgraced seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong’s drug failures.
While the CIRC report points a damning finger at Verbruggen, who led the UCI between 1991-2005, it found no links between donations made to the UCI by Armstrong, to cover up his drug failures.
I am pleased that this report confirms my complete innocence concerning these accusations
“It confirms what I have always said: that there have never been any cover-ups, complicity or corruption in the Lance Armstrong case,” the Dutchman said in a statement released on Monday.
“I am pleased that this report confirms my complete innocence concerning these accusations,” he added.
But Verbruggen was unhappy that his style of leadership was criticised in the report, and denied his actions and leadership led to some major errors.
The report said “numerous examples have been identified showing that UCI leadership “defended’ or ‘protected’ Armstrong”.
