Cycling Ireland have called the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) in Dublin on June 15 after they revoked their initial decision to nominate McQuaid.

The vote is now academic because McQuaid has secured the backing of the Swiss Cycling Federation.

Under the rules of the UCI, a person can be nominated as President not only by their own national federation, but also that of their country of residence, a rule McQuaid has exploited as he has lived in Switzerland for several years.

The move has angered a lot of clubs in Ireland but Anthony Moran, the former vice-president of Cycling Ireland who was the only one on their Board not to back McQuaid's nomination, claims they still have an opportunity to send a powerful message to the rest of the world.

"We are still treating the EGM as if nothing has happened," he told VeloNation. 

"We are going full steam ahead.

"At the end of next week or the start of the following week, we will issue our reasons why we think clubs should not nominate Pat McQuaid.

"I think this is a slap in the face for the Irish cyclists, and the Board [that he has sought the nomination from Switzerland].

"He has come and looked for the nomination, and then he decides that it looks a big iffy and off he pops to Switzerland.

"It is a symbolic vote as it may not affect his re-election, but I do think it would be a massive blow to his credibility if the members voted no."


But it looks increasingly likely that McQuaid will face opposition at the election, which is due to be held during the at the UCI Congress in September at the World Championships in Florence.

Igor Makarov, the energy billionaire who is also President of the Russian Cyclcing Federation, who had originally ruled out standing is considering changing his mind and putting himself forward.

There is also pressure on Brian Cookson, President of British Cycling,from several national federations to change his mind and stand.

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