Yes, the Pat McQuaid, the president of the Union Cycliste Internationale.

McQuaid took time out his schedule Tuesday to speak with 10 Speed in what we hope is the first of many conversations with some of the major players in cycling.

 Among the highlights:

– McQuaid sees a bright future for professional cycling in the United States.

– He says the Tour of America isn’t so far-fetched.

– He welcomes the new-look that happenin’ Michael Ball of the Rock & Republic clothing company brings with Rock Racing (tho McQuaid doesn’t agree with everything Ball has done).

– He says the ongoing battle between UCI and ASO is over a global vision of cycling vs. a Euro-centric vision of cycling.

– He praises American teams Slipstream-Chipotle, High Road, CSC and Astana for their anti-doping programs, and says all of the UCI Pro Tour teams are on board with the anti-doping movement.

– He believes ASO was wrong to exclude Astana and defending champion Alberto Contador from the Tour de France.

And so on and so forth, to borrow a phrase McQuaid used often.

10 Speed will post a synopsis of the hour-long conversation with McQuaid, along with the entire Q & A transcript, exclusively on STLtoday.com

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