Cycling:International Cycling Union president Pat McQuaid has vowed to continue to improve the sport, despite continued calls for his resignation.
A day after a meeting of pressure group Change Cycling Nowcalled for new leadership and saw three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond offer his services as an interim president of the UCI, McQuaid launched the first phase of a stakeholder consultation.
"We will work together to tackle issues of concern and build a bright future for cycling,” McQuaid said today. "We will look at how we can continue the process of globalising cycling, encourage wider participation and make the sport even more interesting for spectators."
All of those involved in the sport, from riders to industry representatives and anti-doping organisations, have until next Monday to respond to a letter from the UCI.
There are four main topics of conversation - globalisation, anti-doping, riders and sports calendar - and the UCI plan to use the feedback to then finalise and announce the format of its stakeholder consultation.
The consultation, which will take place in early 2013, is completely separate from the external independent commission, which is charged with looking into the issues and allegations contained in the United States Anti-Doping Agency decision relating to the Lance Armstrong affair.
Teams and major event organisers met in Switzerland this week to discuss the 2013 season and beyond.
The UCI speakers included world champion Philippe Gilbert and his BMC Racing team-mate Johann Tschopp, retired rider Dario Cioni, who now works with Team Sky, two lawyers, various television producers and a biodiversity expert.
"The aim was to address issues that are part of the day-to-day concerns of organisers and riders,” McQuaid said. "Everyone at the seminar had the same objective: to see cycling thrive. United, we are very strong and have the force to carry cycling through to a bright future."
Yesterday, LeMond called on McQuaid to step down for the good of the sport. The American is prepared to run for the presidency in the short-term but suggested former president of USADA Dick Pound as a long-term alternative.
“If Pat McQuaid really loves cycling, as he claims, he would have resigned. He could say, ‘Okay, I made mistakes, but now I quit to find a new leader for the UCI'.”