(BBC) – British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake will step down in April, BBC Sport understands.The organisation is already searching for a replacement for performance director Shane Sutton, who left amid allegations of sexism, which he denies.
Drake has worked at the governing body since 1995 and became CEO in 2009.
His exit comes as British Cycling is under scrutiny from UK Anti-Doping (Ukad), which is investigating allegations of wrongdoing in cycling surrounding the use of therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs), and the administering of medication to riders.
He has overseen a truly remarkable period for the sport in this country
Ukad officials visited British Cycling headquarters earlier this month. The organisation said the meeting was arranged with British Cycling’s “full cooperation”.
A day earlier, ex-Team Sky rider Jonathan Tiernan-Locke had told BBC Sport he was “freely offered” the controversial painkiller Tramadol when competing at the Road World Championships four years ago.
British Cycling put the allegation to the medic in question, Doctor Richard Freeman, on the BBC’s behalf. He denied it.
Team Sky are also under investigation, and their former rider Sir Bradley Wiggins, a Tour de France winner, has been criticised over his use of TUEs.
There is no suggestion British Cycling, Team Sky or Wiggins had broken any rules.
Wiggins took anti-inflammatory drug triamcinolone for allergies and respiratory problems shortly before the 2011 and 2012 Tours and the 2013 Giro d’Italia, his TUEs having been approved by the relevant authorities.
In an interview with BBC Sport published earlier yesterday, former head of British Cycling Peter Keen said he feared the controversy could cause “collateral damage” to Team GB.
He said it would be an “absolute tragedy” if innocent riders were unfairly tainted, adding there were “lessons to be learned” for British Cycling and Team Sky.