Drake to stand down as chief executive

Ian Drake is to leave his position as British Cycling chief executive in April.

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 the medal table at the Rio Olympics and Paralympics, but there have been numerous controversies too.

Shane Sutton left his role as British Cycling technical director in April following discrimination allegations, which are the subject of an independent review. The review is scheduled to conclude imminently.

And British Cycling’s relationship with Team Sky is under scrutiny, too.

Team Sky and British Cycling have been intertwined since the road team’s inception in 2009 and first season in 2010, with many staff and riders employed by both teams.

Team Sky are involved in a furore following the decision to seek permission for Sir Bradley Wiggins to use otherwise banned substances, and Sir Dave 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.

The news of Drake’s departure means British Cycling is now searching for two leading figures.

British Cycling on Wednesday announced it was beginning the recruitment process for a new performance director.

And now it is also searching for a chief executive.