Millar loses out to Bugno in battle to lead union

Scotland’s David Millar was heavily defeated by incumbent Gianni Bugno in his bid to be elected president of the CPA riders’ union.

Bugno won by 379 votes to 96 after a controlling block of national riders’ associations voted for the Italian.

The North American association, the ANAPRC, voted in favour of Millar, as did the Swiss federation after the riders persuaded their representative to support the Scot.

The ANAPRC proposed a change in the CPA statue to allow an electronic voting system but this was defeated in a vote.

As a result, any riders who wanted to vote had to physically go to a hotel near Innsbruck in Austria, where the road world championships are taking place, to cast their ballot. However, it is thought that few did.

Millar, pictured, was magnanimous after a heated campaign which saw the Tour De France stage winner campaign to reform the union. He tweeted: “In all sincerity, respect to Gianni Bugno and I wish him every success in leading @cpacycling. I hope this past month accelerates a muchneeded change in how the riders and the union work together.”

Millar gained support from current Tour De France winner Geraint Thomas and previous winner Chris Froome.

Froome said: “My view is that the current union is very detached from the cyclists that they represent. I think it’s definitely a time for reform and change.”

However, disgraced American rider Lance Armstrong who was stripped of his seven Tour De France titles for doping, was critical of Miller, saying he was “the last person” who should lead the cyclists’ union.

Millar himself served a drug ban for blood-booster EPO but has since been a vocal and active campaigner for clean cycling.