It isn't easy being at the helm of International Cycling Union (UCI) especially when the sport is time and again riddled with doping controversies.

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UCI president Pat McQuaid tells DNA that the body is dealing with the issue head-on and Floyd Landis has been making a noise because of his tiff with the body. The former Irish pro cyclist also says that India has the potential to become a major cycling nation. Recently, cycling has been again in news for doping controversies?It is true that there was traditional doping happening in the sport. But one also has to understand that no sport is untouched by cheats. But for now, doping is not much of a problem in cycling. We are dealing with it with head-on. The UCI is recognised by IOC and WADA and they know we are working hard towards making it clean. The UCI is also the most advanced sporting body when it comes to fighting doping and getting biological passport. Ten to Twenty years ago, athletes were put ahead of the system, so they could easily cheat. Now the system has developed. We are working consciously with scientists, the judicial system and the police to make it better and our battle is almost won. The fact that we have caught high-profile athletes and we aren't hiding their names says a lot about the battle. Sure, we get some negative publicity with that, but then if the guilty is caught, the purpose has been served.  But lots of big names are being dragged into the issue...UCI functioning is like that of a government, we don't have the strongest PR machinery. By dealing with doping, we are taking the battle head-on. At the same time, we are also trying to protect the clean athletes. In relation to icons associated with drugs, we have to work with it. A lot of it, also, has to do with how the scandals influence the perceptions of the media. Lance Armstrong has never tested positive. If there was a result that came to the UCI that happened to be positive, it would go to the lab. We can't hide the result. We work under strict regulations and laws, so if he is caught, we would have to accept it. Floyd Landis was caught, still he spent 2-4 years in denial. Four years later, he comes out to say "Sorry, I did it". We won't accept such athletes and would want to throw them out.  So why he came out so late and made so much noise…He has a tiff with UCI. He felt he was victimised and felt that several other athletes got away freely. The fact remains that he was caught and was dumped. I won't accept his stand. I am very pragmatic. There have been athletes who have doped and won and nothing happened. But then they were beating the system. The fact that he was caught cannot be denied. We don't select anyone, however big the names they may be.  What prompts an athlete to dope?It starts when a young kid comes in to the sport. He isn't educated at that level about winning fairly. All he is taught is to win by any means. They, therefore, never learn to be gracious in defeat. There are various reasons why one athlete beats another and not only because he or she dopes. All what one has to do is work hard to win again. But upcoming athletes at times didn't bother to think like that. A lot of it has to do with the money as well. Kids taking up the sport full time with no other career choice want to make it count at the earliest.   UCI is bringing cycling to India, especially Mumbai…There is wonderful energy in Mumbai. The city and organisers here have a wish to make the event global. I met some ministers here and they too want to develop the Tour de Mumbai in a way that it helps tourism too. The cycling teams which have come here also want to come here. Lot of sponsors, cycle manufacturers are making their base in the country and the fact is that India is now opening to other sports  But can cycling actually become a major sport here?We follow the internet trends and quiet a large number of people follow the sport on internet. Teams participating in Tour de France are coming here and that will create a lot of buzz. But we have to be patient, it won't happen overnight. But the country definitely has the potential to make cycling a major sport.   Therefore, what does India need to do?A lot of it would depend on how quickly they can develop the sport here. It needs to develop well in economic sense too. It has to become valuable. A reputation needs to be built. Best riders would come here once the Tour here builds a good reputation. Tour de France is 100 years old and that's why the best cyclists don’t miss it for anything in the world. Broadcasting also plays a major role. Bringing in broadcasters to cover your event is also an important aspect.   But there are two federations here…I know for a fact that there are two federations. But we have recognised CFI (Cycling Federation of India). What they have to do is to ensure cycling is developed from the grassroots. At the same time, developing events like Tour de Mumbai is also a must. That is what is missing here.

Cycling in all parts of world cycling is developed by their respective federations. Also in India, the federation needs to find good commercial partners who are willing to take the risk and reap the benefits.