UCI president Brian Cookson was a notable guest on the third day of the Six-Days of Ghent. He used the opportunity to talk about doping in the past and his future plans for the sport. "It was an exciting and interesting year, but I can not change everything at once."

As a Brit, Brian Cookson knows a lot about track cycling and he was impressed by the atmosphere in De Kuipke.

"The Six-Day race is one of the most beautiful races on the calendar. It is always a pleasure to be in Ghent. It is a shame that the number of these races is not bigger."

His first year as head of the UCI has been "exciting and interesting." 

"I want to change a lot, but you can not change everything at once. It's nice to see that people want to invest in the sport. That means we're doing well.

"In particular, I want to see more people on the bike. It is very good for the environment and it would solve transportation problems. More cyclists mean more interest, events and sponsors. It'll only benefit the sport."

In recent years, however, cycling has been dealt a few blows. Several doping cases have marred the sport and Cookson wants to move forward.

"Early this year, I have created an independent commission (CIRC) to launch a major doping investigation. They were given sufficient resources but otherwise the UCI is not involved. The results should give us a better look at the" old " cycling."

One of the riders who were heard by CIRC is Lance Armstrong. He hopes to get a reduced sentence for his cooperation. 

"I think that every system should provide the possibility of rehabilitation. Also for Lance Armstrong.

"If he can give us valuable information about cycling in that era, then a reduced sentence must be a possibility. However, the final responsibility is in the hands of the US Anti-Doping Agency USADA. If they don't agree, it will remain unchanged."

For Cookson, the fight against doping is one of the priorities.

"I want to change things compared to the past. That's one of the reasons why I was elected."