The new president of the International Cycling Union (UCI) has reportedly said that he hopes that disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong can play a key role in a 'truth and reconciliation' process and help 'heal the wounds of the troubled sport'.
The new world cycling chief Brian Cookson beat incumbent Pat McQuaid to the presidency of the body after a turbulent election process on Friday, with 24 votes to McQuaid's 18 from the 42 delegates.
According to Sport24, Cookson is hoping that Armstrong could be one of his first positive steps towards the upliftment of the sport from the morass of doping, following Armstrong's positive reaction to Cookson's victory with a 'Hallelujah' on Twitter.
With a campaign to build an anti-doping body independent of the UCI following allegations of McQuaid hiding doping positives, Cookson welcomed Armstrong's endorsement, saying that he is hoping the former drugs cheats will help him launch the process of 'healing the wounds cycling inflicted upon itself'.
Determined to restore cycling's reputation as well as change the UCI's management structure, Cookson hinted that he would be investigating McQuaid and others involved in the 'doping hiding' allegations following the publication of a secret dossier which contains damning allegations against McQuaid.