McQuaid defiant despite failing to win nomination

International Cycling Union (UCI) chief Pat McQuaid failed to win nomination for re-election as president following a secret ballot at the UCI congress today.
However despite the path now seemingly clear for Brian Cookson, McQuaid's only challenger, to become the new president of cycling world governing body McQuaid is set to launch another audacious challenge.
At a dramatic UCI Congress on the fringes of the world road race cycling championships Cookson delivered a fatal blow to McQuaid's bid for a third mandate when the Irishman failed to push through a crucial amendment to the constitution.
He came into the election without meeting the conditions set down in article 51.1, namely being nominated as a presidential candidate by his home federation.

Having also failed to win nomination by Switzerland, where the UCI has its headquarters in Aigle, the Irishman proposed an amendment to the article allowing him to be nominated by another federation.
Opposition was raised by the British delegate supporting Cookson and was given support by Australia as several delegates complained about the rules being changed "mid-race".

A secret vote, during which all 42 delegates were asked whether or not to vote on making the amendment to article 51.1 on Friday, was held.
With a simple majority required for the proposition to progress, the subsequent result of 21-21 meant it was denied.

In theory, Cookson is now the only remaining candidate and must be voted in as president of the UCI later Friday by a two-thirds majority.
However as the congress continued McQuaid is set to rely on his support by federations from Malaysia and Thailand, whom he claims can nominate him as a candidate because he is an honorary member of those federations.
Despite the amendment failing to be pushed through, a defiant McQuaid said: "Now on to the issue of the election, at which I am still a candidate.