The European Cycling Union (UEC) President is the sole challenger to British incumbent Brian Cookson for the UCI’s top job, with the election due to take place at the organisation’s Congress in Bergen in Norway on September 21.

"I have great pleasure to present to you my complete programme which embodies my vision and my engagement for international cycling," the 44-year-old says in a statement to mark the release of his manifesto, entitled "Our passion - an ambition or cycling".

"With the support of national federations, continental confederations and the entire cyclist family I pledge to implement this unifying project aiming at reinforcing the fundamental values of our organisation through solidarity, ethics, attractiveness, true transparency, good governance, credibility and to preserve the legacy of world cycling."

Lappartient claims he has become aware of a "significant desire and need for change in governance expressed by national federations in recent months", adding that his manifesto displays a "real ambition" for cycling.

He has prioritised strengthening the authority of the UCI with "real and effective leadership", which would place the organisation at the service of national federations, "making cycling a sport for the 21st century".

Developing an ambitious vision for professional cycling and ensuring credibility of sporting results and protecting athletes are also part of the "five pillars" in his manifesto. 

Cookson, who ousted Ireland's Pat McQuaid from the UCI hot seat in 2013, unveiled his manifesto early last month.

He claimed the UCI has become "cleaner, stronger and more transparent" during his four-year tenure and claimed he is only seeking one more term in office.

Cookson has prioritised accelerating international development, championing cycling for transport and leisure, ensuring equal opportunities for men and women to participate and compete, building on restored credibility and ensuring the UCI continues to drive excellence in operations.

Lappartient, who has served as part of the UCI Management Committee under Cookson, believes the new President must improve the governance of the federation by granting a larger role to elected representatives and the Management Committee.

"My goal will be to make the UCI an International Federation that is strong, influential and able to make substantial contributions to the Olympic and Paralympic Movement," he said.

"My second point of action will be to place the UCI at the service of every national federation.

"In order to achieve this, the World Cycling Centre will play a key role in implementing a robust cooperative and solidarity programme that is meaningful to the federations.

"It will also be necessary to modernise the format of the World Championships and develop new tools that will effectively meet the needs of its members.

"The UCI must make cycling a sport of the 21st century, which constitutes the third pillar of my project.

"This will mean promoting the development of women's cycling, focusing in particular on its structure in terms of both races and teams.

"We must also encourage any initiatives aimed at making cycling accessible to everyone in society and encouraging participation across all of its disciplines.

"Developing an ambitious vision for professional cycling will be of critical importance for the new management team, and this will be the fourth key area of my project.

"To sustain such scheme, a clear and credible reform will need to be implemented and will require the goodwill and great collaboration among every stakeholder."

Lappartient, who served as President of the French Cycling Federation (FFC) from February 2009 to March of this year, has also vowed to establish an action plan aimed at supporting the fight against technological fraud, as well as seeking to work in partnership with the World Anti-Doping Agency.

His candidacy has been backed by his successor as FFC President Michel Callot. 

"David Lappartient’s candidacy is backed up by a clear vision and an ambitious project for our International Federation and I am in total agreement with and endorse his proposition," Callot said.

"The leadership that he has demonstrated within both the FFC and the UEC gives a clear indication of the future success he will have in leading the UCI.

"On behalf of the FFC and its governing bodies, I wish David Lappartient the very best in his campaign and look forward to see him upholding the values of cycling that we all hold so dear."

British-based public relations firm Calacus have been appointed to run Cookson’s campaign for re-election as the UCI President.

Cookson, supported by London-based firm Vero Communications when he beat McQuaid four years ago, hopes Calacus will boost his bid for a second term.

He has already questioned the detail in Lappartient’s plan for the future of cycling.

The Briton claims he does not understand his rival’s assertion that recent reforms to men’s professional cycling had failed to meet challenges faced in the discipline.

To view Lappartient’s manifesto in full, click here.