British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake to stand down after numerous controversies

British Cycling has a close relationship with Team Sky

(Getty Images)

Ian Drake will step down as British Cycling chief executive in April, the national governing body has announced.

Drake's association with the national governing body began in 1995 and he has been chief executive since 2009.

But he quits after a year of highs and lows.

Great Britain topped cycling's medal table at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics, but there have been numerous controversies too.

In a statement, Drake said: "Some time ago I made the decision that the Rio Games would be my last as CEO of British Cycling.

"I believe that the end of this Olympic cycle is the natural moment for a new CEO to take the organisation forward into the Tokyo Games and beyond."

Drake in recent weeks has secured an eight-year sponsorship agreement with banking giant HSBC, replacing Sky as British Cycling's lead sponsor, and been part of the team which won the bid to bring the 2019 UCI Road World Championships to Yorkshire.

However, recent months have been the most challenging of his leadership.

Shane Sutton left his role as British Cycling technical director in April, 100 days prior to the Rio Olympics, following discrimination allegations, which he denies.

Sir Dave Brailsford has denied any allegations of wrongdoing against Team Sky (Getty)

And British Cycling's relationship with Team Sky is under scrutiny, too. Media giant Sky remains sponsor of the professional road team run by Sir Dave Brailsford.

Team Sky are involved in a furore following the decision to seek permission for Sir Bradley Wiggins to use otherwise banned substances, and Brailsford's squad is now part of a UK Anti-Doping investigation into allegations of "wrongdoing" in cycling.

Brailsford was British Cycling performance director until April 2014, when he left to concentrate on Team Sky. He worked closely with Drake.

Wiggins' use of the powerful anti-inflammatory triamcinolone was granted before three of his biggest races between 2011 and 2013, including the 2012 Tour de France which he won.

Wiggins, Brailsford and Team Sky deny wrongdoing, insisting the use was medically necessary to deal with a pollen allergy that aggravates Wiggins' long-standing asthma condition.

There is no suggestion any rules were broken and the therapeutic use exemptions were approved by the UCI, cycling's world governing body, and the relevant anti-doping authorities.

PA.