PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION21st August, 2013

Chairman confirms Swiss revocation of McQuaid EndorsementThe Chairman of sportswear brand SKINS, Jaimie Fuller, has confirmed news that the Swiss Cycling Federation has withdrawn its endorsement of UCI President Pat McQuaid for a third term as President.

Fuller originally revealed the Swiss move during an interview with Dublin radio station Newstalk  after receiving legal documentation to confirm the original decision had been reversed and that a legal challenge to the decision, which Fuller’s company had supported , had no further need to proceed.

The Swiss confirmed their change of heart 3 months after their support produced internationalcondemnation and a legal challenge from three of the Federation's own members.

Speaking after making his revelations Fuller said: "This should finally signal an end to Mr. McQuaid's quest for re-election. The endorsement from the Swiss was unilaterally rushed through as a concerted move by Mr. McQuaid and the Federation President, who publicly claims to be a close friend of Mr. McQuaid. It is telling that the decision to withdraw Mr. McQuaid’s nomination was taken “after having carefully examined the arguments contained in the legal challenge”. The nomination was also announced before Mr. McQuaid’s home Federation in Ireland had concluded their own endorsement process which was ongoing at the time. That, in itself is contrary to the rules of the electoral process, so the Swiss support should never have been confirmed in the first place.”

In October, 2012, the SKINS Chairman published an open letter to Mr. McQuaid in Australian national newspapers calling for him to either actively support USADA's investigation into Lance Armstrong or resign. This was followed up by SKINS issuing a demand for $2 million compensation against the UCI, Pat McQuaid and Hein Verbruggen, claiming that the President and Mr. Verbruggen, the UCI Honorary President, had brought cycling into disrepute through joint mis-management, in particular over the LanceArmstrong affair. This was followed in December, by the creation of lobby group Change Cycling Now (CCN) to apply further global pressure with the help of support from group members such as 3 times Tour de France winner, Greg LeMond.

Supported by Fuller's company SKINS, Change Cycling Now has applied constant pressure on Mr. McQuaid's continued Presidency and his pursuit of an endorsement and re-election in the UCIvote in September.

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Shortly after its inception, CCN was asked to work alongside the UCI Independent Commission which was charged with investigating UCI involvement in the Armstrong affair before the Commission wasunilaterally disbanded by Mr. McQuaid.

SKINS subsequently provided financial support to a legal challenge brought by three Swiss Cycling Federation members who sought to block their country's endorsement of Mr. McQuaid.

Fuller said: "Mr McQuaid should now accept that the writing is on the wall and stop this ridiculous charade. His latest stunt of attempting to introduce retrospective changes to the UCI constitution reflect a man who is both delusional and despotic; his arrogance knows no bounds. His fellow countrymen in Ireland had second thoughts when they withdrew their endorsement and now the Swiss have done the same. I would hope that by now, Mr. McQuaid is getting the message."

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For more information and interview opportunities please contact Phil Mepham

+44 7765 237236 phil@PRMSport.com

About SKINS

In Australia in 1996 SKINS embarked on a massive challenge to create a sports garment that aided recovery and improved performance. SKINS invested heavily in research to make it happen and are now Australia’s leading compression brand.

SKINS have achieved rapid growth in other markets including Japan, the USA and the UK and now have their sights set on Europe and other international markets. The company relocated its international headquarters from Australia to Steinhausen in Switzerland on 1st February 2009.

SKINS continues to make their number one focus research and development in order to improve, rigorously test and expand the range of products. The performance benefits of SKINS are supported by numerous independent studies published in peer reviewed medical journals. SKINS are the only compression garments recommended and endorsed by the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

For detailed information about SKINS products, check out: skins.net