Irish cycling legend Sean Kelly has given UCI President Pat McQuaid his backing for re-election.

The Dublin man failed to win a nomination for a third term in office from Cycling Ireland after an Emergency General Meeting of club delgates earlier this summer.

The current office-holder is now running on the basis of a nomination from the Swiss federation, which is the subject of a legal challenge.

McQuaid, who has recently had to deny he is changing the UCI rules in order to win re-election, has found it difficult to overcome the Lance Armstrong doping scandal that erupted last year.

But, speaking to Clare FM, Kelly said that Pat McQuaid has the experience to lead cycling in the right direction following those recent controversies...  

UCI President Pat McQuaid and Sean Kelly at the 2013 Elite National Cycling Championships ©INPHO/Ciarán Fallon