The fight for the presidency of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) will be a two-horse race after it was confirmed there were no other challengers to Pat McQuaid and Brian Cookson.

Irishman McQuaid has held the position as the most powerful man in world cycling since 2005 and is seeking a third term. Cookson, the president of British Cycling since 1997, has been a critic of the UCI’s handling of the Lance Armstrong affair and believes the sport needs a change of direction at the top.

In announcing his candidacy today, Cookson said: “The UCI and cycling face some huge challenges as we look to the future but our great sport also has some incredible opportunities – if we can grasp them.

“I believe that I have a strong and proven track record in delivering positive change in cycling and in a way that is collegiate – not confrontational – as my time as president of British Cycling shows. I want to see the UCI defined by genuine collaboration, renewed trust and with a vision to fully tackle the issues we face. If we deliver then cycling can reach new heights in the years ahead.”

The biggest challenge in cycling administration remains the fight against doping and McQuaid believes that under him it is a fight they are starting to win.

He said: “Cycling has changed since I became UCI President in 2005. Cycling is now a global sport. It is now possible to race and win clean. During the past eight years I have introduced the most sophisticated and effective anti-doping infrastructure in world sport to cycling and opened up everything that is beautiful about our sport to new countries around the world.

“Cycling is a changed sport and it has a bright future. My mission now is ensure that we never turn back and that we preserve the culture of change within the peloton, that we revolutionise the way that we present our sport and that we continue to develop cycling worldwide in collaboration with all of our stakeholders.”