“When the UCI and the PCC spend one hour debating on MPCC, saying “they agree with our philosophy and objectives”, it does mean we go in the right direction.”
The meeting of PCC last week has strengthened the links between the UCI and MPCC. What conclusions do you draw?
First of all, it was very important to introduce MPCC to all new members of the Professional Cycling Council (PCC) chaired by David Lappartient and UCI President Brian Cookson. MPCC today represents 75% of the World Tour and Pro Continental teams. That means 75% of runners, 75% of physicians, 75% of sponsors … and also Continental and Women’s teams, national federations, organizers. Obviously, this gives great importance to our work. MPCC has a large majority in professional cycling and embodies a true philosophy. Our movement continues to grow with the opening to the women’s teams, which will be more numerous in the movement in the coming weeks. International bodies recognize MPCC. When the UCI and the PCC spend one hour debating on MPCC, saying “they agree with our philosophy and objectives”, it does mean we go in the right direction.
How can we determine the exact role of MPCC with the UCI?
MPCC is an essential complement to the action of the UCI and WADA, we are on their side. In the past, major doping scandals that have shattered the sport in general, were not only triggered by the authorities, but also by external investigations. Legally, the UCI cannot do what they want to fight against doping. They must fully comply with the rules established by WADA. MPCC’s basic principles are volunteering and personal commitment: this is a major trail that had not been exploited so far. It is in this sense that we are fully complementary to the actions of the UCI and WADA. We can take action they cannot lead. Authorities have their limits. For example, when the IOC had forbidden the participation of positive athletes at the London Olympic Games, the Arbitral Tribunal of Sport, whose all decisions are “right” under the law, had invalidated the decision. This has been the case in many other actions led by our leaders. Volunteering can override this: the manager, organizer, President of Federation, member of MPCC, has a decision-making power, the power of respecting the international rules, but also the rules issued together by MPCC.
“Now everybody knows how MPCC works, which stricter rules are observed by the members, how strong and significant their commitment is.”
What will the consultation of the UCI with MPCC consist of ?
The UCI said: “What you do helps us, bravo! Volunteering is obviously an essential complement to our action”. The UCI will examine the possibility of incorporating in its regulations MPCC rules that do not involve legal blockage. MPCC will make an annual report on its activity to PCC. At this meeting of the PCC, we realized that everyone agreed with the philosophy of MPCC. Everybody! The keystone remains voluntary participation and that is the reason why MPCC was created and grown up. Few teams already applied some of our rules before the creation of the movement, and now, they are 75% to get involved. This changes the game and become a key addition to the UCI and WADA. MPCC formally complete the anti-doping device desired by all.
And the strict compliance with the rules of MPCC is no stranger to the growing support of these authorities?
In 2013, following the massive wave of accessions recorded during the previous winter, the MPCC rules have all been applied by all members This has reinforced our efforts and this work is crowned by the recognition of the PCC and UCI. This year that has passed has validated the credibility of MPCC, to give a meaning to the renewal of credibility of cycling. Now everybody knows how MPCC works, which stricter rules are observed by the members, how strong and significant their commitment is.