In its latest attempt to climb higher at the international level, the Indonesian Cycling Federation (ICF) has decided to hire former world champion Frédéric Magné of France as a consultant for its training program.

The appointment, however, has raised questions, as AFP reported that Magné was dismissed from his position as a director at the World Cycling Center in November last year.

Magné was dismissed after a series of alleged misdemeanors at the Switzerland-based velodrome, road-race and BMX training center, which also included abuse of power and misuse of company assets, according to AFP sources.

Furthermore, an International Cycling Union (UCI) spokesman said, “on the basis of the information we have received the UCI no longer has confidence in Frédéric Magné”.

In response, ICF chairman Raja Sapta “Okto” Oktohari said he had no intention of meddling with the “internal politics” of the UCI.

“We [prefer] to take the benefits [of his presence here]. There was a host of countries interested in [hiring] him, but he chose us,” he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

Several witnesses told AFP that during his 10-year tenure at the cycling center, the Frenchman conducted “systematic bullying, violent and manipulative behavior and threats”.

Magné was also accused of failing to take into account the dietary requirement of Muslim cyclists, while others reported that he misused his position by asking trainees to do his personal duties such as taking his children to school, washing his car and cleaning his garage.

Magné’s lawyers denied all the allegations, claiming they were groundless.

Magné, former keirin world champion, will officially take on the job on Feb. 1 with a short-term target of sending Indonesian cyclists to the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

The possibility of hosting the 2032 Olympics has encourage the ICF to boost cyclists’ skills to avoid alienation at home during the quadrennial event.

“We feel like we’re not competitive enough. So we’re trying to find the best of the best. We have a world-class velodrome and other good facilities. Now we just need to have the [best] program,” said Okto, who is also chief of the Indonesian National Olympic Committee (NOC).

“To make the program, [we need assistance]. We are grateful that after much lobbying, Frédéric Magné agreed to be the ‘super’ consultant for the ICF management,” he added.

Magné’s job desk will be comprised of assisting the management in designing recruitment and training programs, with the main goal of high achievements at the Olympics.

“Cycling is not an instant sport. It works through a designed program. We will recruit 13-year-old talents from schools located in the highlands as we believe that they have bigger lungs, which will influence their VO2Max,” Okto said.

His fondness for challenge prompted the Frenchman to take the job offered by the ICF. Okto’s position as the current chief of the NOC also led Magné to accept the job offer as he said he felt that the opportunity to develop Indonesian cycling was huge due to Okto’s strategic role.

“Most important is to focus on [scouting] athletes. And when we have them, we should organize races. [Indonesian cycling] is actually promising, but it’s not at the top level. I am sure with work we can definitely improve,” Magné told the Post.

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