After crisis of Armstrong doping case, McQuaid says UCI has 'moral authority' to lead cycling

GENEVA - Cycling is mired in a crisis caused by the Lance Armstrong doping affair and its world governing body faces an uphill trek to regain credibility.

Still, International Cycling Union President Pat McQuaid says it can succeed despite the doubts of many in the sport.

McQuaid tells The Associated Press that "by the decisions we have taken ... it has given us the moral authority" to lead.

On Monday, the UCI accepted sanctions which banned Armstrong for life and stripped his seven Tour de France titles, plus all other race results since August 1998.

McQuaid will lead a UCI meeting on Friday to help shape cycling's future.