UCI chief Lappartient under scrutiny after using official account to back jailed Sarkozy

Lappartient, a long-time friend of Sarkozy, used his official UCI presidential account on social platform X to share a message of solidarity on what he called “this special day” for the former president.

“I have a friendly thought for my friend @NicolasSarkozy on this special day. He is an immense servant of France, which he loves so deeply. I can testify to his energy, enthusiasm and courage. He loves people! See you soon on the bike. Sincere friendship!” wrote Lappartient.

Cycling's top official, who was re-elected unopposed as UCI president on September 25, chose to quite post the message on his official UCI account rather than his personal "David Lappartient - Morbihan" profile, which he typically uses for non-cycling matters and his role as president of the Morbihan department in Brittany.

It’s not the first time Lappartient’s social media activity has attracted attention. During this year’s World Championships in Rwanda, he mistakenly congratulated Tadej Pogačar instead of Remco Evenepoel on winning the men’s time trial world title.

Following the pro-Palestine protests that marked the Vuelta a Espana, meanwhile, the UCI issued a statement criticising the Spanish government for encouraging peaceful demonstrations. "The UCI strongly condemns the exploitation of sport for political purposes in general," read the statement. 

The message from Lappartient in support of Sarkozy featured a photograph of the jailed president aboard a Btwin bike. Lappartient, who was elected to his role in Morbihan as a member of Sarkozy's Les Republicans party, has maintained his friendship with Sarkozy throughout his career in sports administration.

Lappartient's post came as Sarkozy became the first former French leader to be imprisoned since Philippe Pétain, who was jailed for treason in 1945. Following his September 25 conviction for conspiracy in connection with alleged Libyan financing of his 2007 presidential campaign, Sarkozy was sentenced to five years in prison. 

The Paris Criminal Court ordered immediate provisional detention despite his appeal, sending him to La Santé prison, which has housed numerous high-profile inmates over the years, including Jacques Mesrine, Bernard Tapie and Guillaume Apollinaire.

Sarkozy, 70, has consistently denied all charges, and his lawyers have filed an appeal against the verdict.