British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake will step down in April.
The
organisation is already searching for a replacement for performance
director Shane Sutton, who left amid allegations of sexism, which he
denies.Drake, CEO since 2009, has been in charge during a hugely successful era.
His exit, revealed by BBC sports editor Dan Roan, comes as British Cycling is under scrutiny from UK Anti-Doping (Ukad), which is investigating allegations of wrongdoing in the sport.
The claims surround therapeutic use exemptions (TUEs), and the administering of medication to riders.
Ukad officials visited British Cycling headquarters earlier this month, saying the meeting was arranged with the governing body's "full co-operation".
A day earlier, former 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 have 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 on Thursday, 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.
British Cycling's independent review is yet to publish its findings into the allegations surrounding Australian Sutton, 59.
In April, the organisation was also ordered by UK Sport to investigate allegations official kit - including a high-performance bike - had been sold online for profit.
Britain's golden period under Drake
During Drake's time in charge, track cycling has overtaken rowing as the nation's most successful Olympic sport.Britain won 20 of the 30 gold medals available in the sport over the past three Games.
Cycling participation has also increased dramatically, with the sport now behind only swimming and athletics in terms of popularity.
Britain was recently awarded the 2019 Road World Championships, to be staged in Yorkshire - although Drake himself did not attend the announcement.
During Drake's time in charge:
- Dame Sarah Storey became Britain's most decorated female Paralympian, with 14 gold medals
- Jason Kenny and Sir Chris Hoy became Britain's most successful Olympians, with six gold medals apiece
- Laura Trott became the first British woman to win four Olympic golds
- Sir Bradley Wiggins became the first Briton to win eight Olympic medals
- Wiggins became the first British winner of the Tour de France, in 2012
- Chris Froome subsequently won the race three times
Analysis
BBC sports editor Dan RoanThis is significant - this is the man at the very top of the sport. He has overseen a truly remarkable period for the sport in this country.
It comes right in the midst of what is, without any doubt, the biggest crisis the sport has suffered in this country.
If you think about what has happened under his watch, an awful lot has changed for the sport, not least the performance at the very top of the sport.
The track cyclists in particular have been the driving force for Britain becoming an Olympic powerhouse - cycling has become the most successful Olympic sport in this country.
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