The decision was reached after the UCI came under fire for granting WorldTour status to the race that had never, never, never been run before  despite the long list of requests from other races for WorldTour status – including Strade Bianche and the Amgen Tour of California.

“Look, we make the decisions when it comes to professional cycling. We have the best eyes to see what is best for the sport overall. China is important to us for a variety of reasons, especially for Hein Verbruggen. What we do is our business, and frankly, other organisers who cry foul can stuff it,” commented UCI President Pat McQuaid.

Happier times for Hangzhou as Verbruggen watches over McQuaid signing the agreement with representatives back in March of this year. No reason was ever given for Verbruggen’s appearance, but his involvement has prompted whispers of corruption.

“After all, I spent 20 years toiling in the trenches to get to this spot. I am entitled to personally profit from this sport after all the blood, sweat and tears I put into this godforsaken two-wheeled hell hole,” McQuaid continued.

When it was pointed out that decisions from the UCI should be made by the executive committee and not McQuaid exclusively, the president responded.

“Look, I don’t care if the UCI Constitutions says the executive committee is supposed to be making decisions, or the UCI management committee is supposed to be consulted. This is the way Hein ran the programme. It worked for him. And by God it’s working for me,” issued a tight-lipped McQuaid.

However, all is not rosy for the organization when it comes to the Tour of Hangzhou. As reported by Chinese media last week, as of July certain contracts for Hangzhou-based companies promised by the UCI hadn’t come through, making the government uneasy about the ability of the UCI to follow through with their commitments based upon “substantial” payments to the UCI for the WorldTour designation. The UCI refused to comment on those payments, and refused to acknowledge they existed.

“It’s none of your business,” stated McQuaid.

When asked about Global Cycling Promotion’s balance sheet and why the UCI still hasn’t presented a transparent accounting of the entity’s actions (as it is supposedly part of a not-for profit governing body with a responsibility to share its endeavours with its constituents), McQuaid was again agitated.

“It’s none of your fooking business. We’re done. Fook off,” McQuaid sputtered, hanging up the phone.

Both AIGCP boss Jonathan Vaughters and CPA boss Gianni Bugno refused to comment or speculate on the decision.

Anonymous team managers were not pleased by the cancellation news. Due to the huge expense of sending riders to China, many noted it was hardly worthwhile to send riders to the only remaining race there – the Tour of Beijing – and were pondering a boycott.

Another anonymous team manager mused that with the “imminent death of the Armstrong Cabal in Aigle,” Beijing might not even be in existence in 2013, pending the rumoured inquiries into UCI activities.

Bugno spent the day in a VIP media car, which subsequently was removed from the Tour “for excessive alcohol consumption,” and could not contain his frustration as he watched Cavendish “hump bottles like a sleazy Saudi camel” and tow the front of the peloton as if he were a “lowly Bangkok rickshaw driver.”

“Team Sky are a disgrace to cycling. They should be upholding certain standards as the team with the special honor of having the world road race champion, especially one recently declared the greatest sprinter of all-time by L’Equipe. A man of his stature deserves an entourage and red-carpet treatment, not the asinine disgracing for the service of that guy wearing the maillot jaune,” Bugno spittled. “When I was world champion, I never fetched a bottle, no matter how much better a teammate may have been, and that includes Laurent Fignon. What’s next? Being demoted to shuttling groupies to the leader’s room?”

In fact, Bugno feels that this could, in fact, damage Cavendish’s confidence heading into the Olympics as the reigning king of the roads.

“How would you feel after you’ve achieved a world-class stature only to have some depressed ex-Olympian with bad hair order you around? Not only is it a confidence killer, but Brailsford is playing with fire. What happens if Cavendish is injured humping bottles? Mark is also exposed to potential injury as he is expected to sacrifice himself and his bike for the supposed greater good. This smacks of communism. This isn’t cycling,” an emphatic Bugno declared.

Cycling pundits were also awestruck by Cavendish’s requirements for the Tour de France, including ex-professional Tony Rominger, who rode a short time with world champion Johan Museuuw in 1996.

Cavendish “disgraces” the rainbow stripes, according to Gianni Bugno (photo courtesy Bettini Photo via cyclingnews.com)

“I think there would have been a civil war in Belgium if I’d ever asked Johan to fetch me a bottle,” commented Rominger.

Even Garmin-Sharp head Jonathan Vaughters was surprised by Brailsford’s requests of Cavendish during the Tour de France.

“I had the world champion in the guise of Thor Hushovd in 2011. I could barely get him to ride, let alone fetch a bottle. I think if I’d even attempted to ask, I would have received a fine and a lawsuit from Pat McQuaid and the guys in Aigle for unprofessional conduct unbecoming the rainbow stripes,” stated Vaughters.

Bugno added one last comment before hit went “clubbing” in Pau.

“I pray for Team Sky and David Brailsford that they win the Tour. If they don’t and it all goes out to sea, Cavendish will be beside himself losing out stage wins to inferior sprinters in the form of Peter Sagan and Andre Greipel. It will be a Tour that he’d rather forget, and it could mean his departure from Team Sky if he’s expected to do the same for either Chris Froome or Wiggins again next year. This is an utter shambles and complete disgrace to the honor and tradition of the rainbow stripes,” concluded Bugno.

Representatives from the UCI were not available for comment. The Tour pauses in Pau for a rest day on Tuesday.

Having to deal with Gianni Bugno face-to-face in two meetings within the space of a week is enough to drive me to throw my Guinness pint through the nearest wall.

This is my throne. This is my sport.

I’d rather deal with Jonathan Vaughters six hours a day for seven days straight than put up with Bugno’s passive/agressive cologne-filled nonsensical rants. He’s just as bad as when he was a rider for Gatorade; he’d proudly yell his intention to attack Indurain into submission and spin for less of an attack than Schleck did at this year’s tour.  No wonder Fignon was fed up with his ridiculous antics. No matter.

Bugno's audition for Leopard-Trek did not go to plan.

Yes, friends, last Tuesday saw me meet with the CPA, the so-called Professional Rider’s Association, listening to Bugno whine, whine, whine about how it took him five months before we’d even consider him to be someone to discuss anything to do with the professional peloton. Gianni, my friend, we just do that to piss you off. It’s because of the cologne. And the fooking gold chains. Is that a beard? Is it not a beard? Are you shaving it? Are you keeping it? We’re just at a loss on that, and frankly, Adorni still thinks you act like a gigolo, not to mention the fact that @mplsminx thinks that you’re most unbangable in your current form.

Needless to say, I’m fucking thrilled to not be directly involved with the Professional Cycling Council.  However, since Javier Barrio came down with a questionable case of food poisoning over the weekend, I had to loan Vittorio Adorni the services of my illustrious manservant, Bhon Mhat (follow him on twitter @patsbhonmhat). I hope he did a fair job live tweeting from the meetings today…

No, this week is all about having to solidify my run for another term as the “supremo numero uno” of the UCI. You see, it was announced on Friday by that fop Gregor Brown from Cycling Weekly that Andrei Tchmil is going to “give it a go” for the presidency.

Now this is quite an interesting development. As most of you know Tchmil’s boss, Igor Makarov, has been part of the UCI Management Committee since this spring, when he was selected by the UEC to be one of the two new representatives for the post. Makarov and I have had a peaceful détente, as well, since he more or less circulates in the sphere of influence with Verbruggen and Rogge. I somewhat mind my own fooking business, as it’s always safe to remain directly out of the line of fire.

Tchmil's photo submission for the bad guy role in Simon Pegg's next film.

As it had been negotiated between Verbruggen and Makarov this past spring, I was to remain president for four more years, after which the UCI would be the domain of the Russians to help solidify Makarov’s resumé for his run toward supreme leader of Russia (which already has the blessing of Putin, mind you). So you could say that it was somewhat of a surprise that Tchmil publicly announced his candidacy for the position now. I mean, this is TCHMIL after all.

Not familiar with his history after his career? Well, before that, let’s start with the fact that this guy couldn’t figure out if he was Russian, Ukrainian, or Belgian. Then he comes to us, begging for work after Chocolade Jacques held a mutiny and tossed him out on his ear like yesterday’s fooking page 3 girlio. We felt bad, so we gave him the UCI Centre post, just to keep him out of trouble, and out of everyone’s way. He’s not the brightest bulb, you know. However, he follows orders very well, just don’t let him try to come up with his own ideas (hence many mutinies –  like Pozzato recently).

Speaking of page 3, we love Taylor Phinney's latest squeeze -- nice detective work Talansky! Cyclepassion!

Then the Moldavian contingent came after him with an ego stroke – Minister for Sport of Moldavia. Of course that’s like saying you were a football star for Fiji. Who? Where? Whatever. Two years that lasted. Two years. Then Makarov came calling, with all his connections and contacts. Properties in Italy, blah, blah, fooking blah in Tchmil’s name, all the while, of course, Andrei isn’t able to figure out that there’s l-a-u-n-d-e-r-i-n-g happening in his name, but I’ll leave that up to other folks to discuss in their time and way. Right folks? Right?

So what does this presidential run by Tchmil truly mean? Well judging from his run at the AIGCP presidency, not much. For fook’s sake, Vaughters ran circles around him without having to move a muscle. Tchmil only got two votes there – his and probably one of his cronies. The fact that this guy can’t even lose that gracefully (he pulled “his” team, Katusha, out of the AIGCP after that big flop) should also tell you how his phoning campaign will go. I’m sure it will resemble something like this:

Federation rep: Hello?

Tchmil: Hello. My name is Andrei. You will vote for me for UCI presidente.

Federation rep: Um, yes. Hello. Is this a prank phone call?

Tchmil: No. I am running for the UCI presidente role. I expect you to vote for me. No questions asked. Yes?

Federation rep: Ah okay. So what is your platform?

Tchmil: Why would you ask me about my flooring? This is about presidente job.

Federation rep: No, I mean why should you be the UCI president?

Tchmil: Because I’m better than McQuaid. And Makarov wants me to be presidente. He has master plan.

Federation rep: Master plan? Is he looking at improving the sport? What is his idea to help women’s cycling? Track cycling?

Tchmil: I don’t know about those things. I only know about riding fast on road.

Federation rep: Are you going to continue the global expansion of the sport?

Tchmil: We will bring glory to mother Russia. and lots of medals. I remember that part of plan. Oh and Russian president of country.

Federation rep: Yes, well, that’s great, but I think I’ll stay with McQuaid on this… you seem a little too biased in your feelings.

Tchmil: мудак. ебать выходные и умереть. *click*

Federation rep: Hello? Hello? Well that was bizarre.

Needless to say, I’m not that concerned about Tchmil and his run. Verbruggen and I firmly have everyone on side. We’ve withstood many rogue factions and their attempts to take over the UCI for their own personal gain in the past, and I’m sure there will be many, many more. Let’s just hope that Verbruggen’s attempt to wrestle my replacement for 2016 ends with an acceptance of our conditional offer, so we can tell Makarov and his boys to fook off.

I just hope that Verbruggen doesn’t change his mind and allow this arse-clown a place at the table.