For his first official visit as President of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), David Lappartient attended the Caribbean Road Cycling Championships (October 21-22) in Martinique.
Mr Lappartient was elected to the Presidency of the UCI during the UCI Congress in Bergen, Norway, in September.
The UCI President said he was delighted to witness the high level of racing in Martinique and the enthusiasm of the fans lining the courses to encourage the riders, who represented 18 countries.
Mr Lappartient was accompanied by José Manuel Pelaez, one of his UCI Vice-Presidents and President of the Confederacion Panamericana de Ciclismo (COPACI). They were greeted in Martinique by local dignitaries including the President of the Caribbean Cycling Federation (CCF) Trevor Bailey and the event organiser Alfred Defontis, who is President of the Regional Cycling Committee of Martinique.
As well as watching the races, the UCI President addressed a well-attended press conference and gave numerous interviews to members of the region’s press.
He also attended the CCF’s General Assembly where he reiterated the UCI’s commitment to support the development of cycling in countries where it is needed most by providing resources, training and equipment. Mr Lappartient also underlined the important role of the Continental Confederations and National Federations in ensuring that cycling became the leading sport of the 21st Century. Among other topics addressed were the importance of cooperation between regional federations, the credibility of cycling and the safety of riders.