British Cycling confirms CEO Ian Drake to step down

British Cycling CEO Ian Drake is set to step down in April 2017 after seven years in the role.

Cycling Weekly understands that the decision was made earlier this year, with Drake keen to move on after guiding BC through his second Olympic cycle, during which Great Britain topped the Olympic medal table in Rio de Janeiro, and securing a new partnership with HSBC.

“I have been involved with British Cycling in some form for almost 20 years, the last eight as CEO, and it is an organisation that I will always love. I have been privileged to be a part of the amazing success we have experienced over those two decades and I know that it will go on to even greater heights in the years to come," Drake said in a statement.

“All organisations, particularly those operating at the highest level of sport, periodically require new leadership to take them to greater heights and tackle their new challenges – now is the right moment for both myself and British Cycling to move on.”

It has been a tumultuous year for the organisation, with technical director Shane Sutton stepping down over discrimination and sexism claims, Lizzie Deignan risking a ban by missing three whereabouts tests and UKAD initiating an investigation into allegations of wrongdoing surrounding BC and Team Sky, among other scandals.

However, it is believed that the latest controversy, which has seen UKAD officials meeting with Drake and other BC staff at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, is not behind Drake's decision to resign.

Drake joined British Cycling in 1995, taking the position of participation and operations director in 2004. In 2007 he was appointed deputy chief executive before moving up to CEO two years later.