Brian Cookson, the recently elected UCI president, attended the annual two day UCI WorldTour seminar in Chantilly France, and addressed some of cycling’s goal, as well as some of its immediate difficulties.

“The 2013 UCI WorldTour was marked by great racing and great locations but there is work to be done and I am delighted to be here as the UCI’s new President to lead that work,” he told the stakeholders present, including teams and organizers. “Professional cycling must adapt to changes and new techniques and this is not always an easy path, but it is one that all of us who have the best interests of our sport at heart, can and must take.”

In his June manifesto Cookson listed four areas where he saw need for specific action. These were:

1) Working with all stakeholders in professional cycling to create a simpler more cohesive events calendar

2) Establishing a stronger global series of tiered races for up-and-coming athletes and events

3) To develop a structure that promotes long-term financial stability

4) Refocusing the UCI's Global Cycling Promotion (GCP) unit to create a clearly understood strategy for developing races and eliminate conflicts of interest with other race promoters

Today he outlined his thoughts on the four subjects, and acknowledged that coverage of the sport was one of the most fundamental areas in which to focus on.

“We must improve the financial performance of professional cycling, and to do this we must increase its visibility, make it clearer and more attractive,” he stated. “By doing so, we will have a more stable structure that will support all those who wish to contribute to the development of our sport in both historic and new territories.”

He reiterated that the World Tour, its sponsors and organizers, as well as the teams and their riders, were essential in order to enhance cycling’s success and popularity. The approach was strikingly different than that of former UCI president Pat McQuaid’s, who often had a difficult and strained relationship towards cycling’s stakeholders.

“You are all key players in the WorldTour, and the UCI greatly appreciates your contribution and values your input into any discussions concerning the future of our sport,” Cookson affirmed, and thereby evinced the new policy course of the UCI.

“Over the next two days, we will discuss concrete issues which concern all of us: our different roles, new technology, television, and the culture of professional cycling. Indeed, television coverage plays an important and growing role in the success and the promotion of our sport and a good part of tomorrow’s session will be devoted to television production.”

“We have a very full programme ahead of us and I am looking forward to getting down to business. I repeat, once again, that we are at the beginning of a new era and it is together, united, and only united, that we will be able to rise to the challenges that await us.”