"Cycling in Britain has never been in better health" says British Cycling president

Bob Howden has been re-elected as president of national governing body British Cycling, and says that "cycling in Britain has never been in better health" as he embarks on a event-packed 2016.

Howden succeeded former president Brian Cookson at British Cycling as Cookson moved on to become Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) president in November 2013.

Howden was voted in for a third year at the British Cycling National Council meeting in Crewe on Saturday.

"I am honoured and delighted to be given the chance to serve for a third year as president," said Howden. "At the end of my second term, I feel pride for how far we have come – and more excited than ever about where we are going.

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One of Howden's tasks in the coming 12 months will be to find a replacement sponsor for the national team after Sky decided not to renew its eight-year partnership after 2016.

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"I’m relishing the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2016 – securing a new title sponsor to succeed Sky, making more big strides in our journey to get one million more women cycling by 2020, a home world championships and of course the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games," said Howden.

"National Council is a highlight of the year for me – not because I like meetings but because it’s the moment this wonderful sport, with all its different elements and passions, comes together. Cycling in Britain has never been in better health."