David Lappartient will not stand for a third term as the French Cycling Federation President ©Getty Images

David Lappartient has announced he will not stand for a third term as the head of the French Cycling Federation (FFC), prompting speculation that he could launch a charge for the International Cycling Union (UCI) Presidency next year.

Lappartient, who is also the President of the European Cycling Union (UEC), claimed his decision to opt out of the FFC’s elections next year had been made due to his commitments at international level, including his chairmanship of the Professional Cycling Council and the vice-presidency of the UCI.

The announcement means Lappartient will leave his role at the FFC on March 11, with the elections taking place 10 days before.

He believes his announcement will allow future candidates to organise and propose their projects across the country in the build-up to the election.

“I say once again I was very proud to chair the destinies of French cycling for eight years, and I hope to continue to do so internationally,” Lappartient said on the FFC website.

“I will be a candidate for renewal of my mandate as President of the European Cycling Union in March.

“I still hope to serve my sport for years.

“One thing is certain I will always have the same energy to meet all kinds of challenges for cycling, as I did most recently in organising in the space of a month the first ever professional road European Championships on my land in Brittany Plumelec.

“It is this energy that I want to continue to deploy.”

David Lappartient's (left) announcement has led to suggestions that he could challenge Brian Cookson (right) for the Presidency of the UCI next year ©Getty Images
David Lappartient's (left) announcement has led to suggestions that he could challenge Brian Cookson (right) for the Presidency of the UCI next year ©Getty Images

Lappartient’s decision has prompted suggestions that he could opt to challenge Brian Cookson for the Presidency of the UCI, with the election due to take place next year.

The Frenchman stopped short of declaring his candidacy, but hinted to L’Equipe that he could possibly target the position in the future, stating that "it could be interesting, in the end".

Lappartient criticised the leadership of Cookson in a letter earlier this year, citing the governing body’s feud with the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO) over the UCI’s World Tour reforms.

However, he backed an agreement which was reached by the UCI and ASO in June, which saw the race organiser's events remain on the World Tour for the 2017 season.

Cookson will seek to win a second term as the President of the sport’s governing body at the UCI’s Congress in Bergen, with the Briton having announced his intention to stand in March.

The Congress will coincide with the UCI Road World Championships in the Norwegian city.

The 2016 edition of the Championships is due to begin in Doha tomorrow.