Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) President Brian Cookson "has made a brisk and busy start to his tenure in charge of cycling" by opening talks with the World Anti-Doping Agency over the creation of an independent inquiry into doping within the sport, according to Robin Scott-Elliot of the London INDEPENDENT. Cookson "has taken the first steps to deliver pre-election promises," as well as seeking to repair relations between the UCI and WADA and putting in place regime change within his organization. Cookson has already had discussions with leading WADA figures and "wants to create the inquiry to explore all doping cases and also look into whether the UCI itself was complicit in any cover-ups." Cookson said, "These early days are very important for the UCI. We have embarked on the process of implementing our manifesto commitments so we can re-establish our international federation's reputation and make it the best and most respected in the world." Cookson "has overseen the ousting of two key figures" from former UCI President Pat McQuaid's regime. Former Dir General Christophe Hubsch-mid and former Legal Counsel Phillippe Verbiest "have both left." The president has also set up a new commission to improve women's elite racing, "following on from appointing the Australian Tracey Gaudry as the first female vice-president of the UCI" (INDEPENDENT, 10/12).
