USA Cycling confirmed Andy Sparks' dismissal in a statement sent to Cyclingnews, saying he had been accused of actions that violated its SafeSport programme and employment policies.

"USA Cycling will not accept misconduct of any kind, and as per our SafeSport policies a full independent investigation was conducted," the statement reads.

"Based on our learnings from the investigation and subsequent discussions with Andy Sparks, USA Cycling has determined it is no longer in the best interest of USA Cycling for him to continue in our programme.

"Because this case encompasses employment issues, USA Cycling will adhere to its longstanding policy of not providing any additional details or otherwise commenting on this confidential matter."

Sparks previously served as the performance director and head coach of the Performance United Cycling Centre on Spanish island Mallorca, and also coached the Irish Olympic track cycling team at the London 2012 Olympic Games and the US team at Beijing 2008.

He returned to lead the US in 2014, with the aim of strengthening the women's team pursuit programme, and guided the quartet of Sarah Hammer, Kelly Catlin, Chloe Dygert and Jennifer Valente to a runners-up finish at last year's Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. 

As part of the independent inquiry conducted under the SafeSport programme, one rider told Cyclingnews Sparks belittled her in public.

She claimed he called her "pathetic" and also laughed at a rider who crashed and regularly reduced riders to tears.

Under USA Cycling’s code of conduct, "emotional misconduct" such as verbally attacking athletes, or "repeatedly and excessively yelling at participants in a manner that serves no productive training or motivational purpose" is prohibited.

The code of conduct also specifies that abuses must have a sustained or repetitive component.

Asked by Cyclingnews if he felt he had bullied riders, Sparks said: "For me, it's categorically denying of that.

"I have high standards, high expectations, I expect riders to fulfil their potential, if I'm providing them $75,000 (£61,000/€71,000) a year of support, that's a real job with real expectations.

"I take the code of conduct and athlete protection policies very seriously, but I'm also very adamant that I have not violated anything.

"Any person in charge of maintaining high standards isn't going to be a popular figure.

"Taking over a team that was not on a trajectory for success, and fighting to keep those standards but also providing a supportive and positive environment...we're not training for a national championship.

"These are big goals, in an Olympic year there's going to be stress.

"Some riders complained about standards being too high and the environment being overly competitive, but when you have two years to get a four-year job done, there is no getting around the standards.

"Track is all about the numbers and satisfying race demand.

"Either we can satisfy those or we can't."

Last year, Shane Sutton resigned from his role as technical director of British Cycling amid accusations of sexual discrimination against track athlete Jess Varnish.

British Cycling chairman Jonathan Browning said earlier this week the under-fire governing body "failed" athletes on its world-class performance programme after allegations of sexism and bullying within the organisation led to an independent review.

Led by Annamarie Phelps, the chairman of British Rowing and vice-chair of the British Olympic Association, the review was launched last April to look at any lessons the National Federation could learn.

A draft report was provided to UK Sport and British Cycling at the end of December 2016 and the findings and key recommendations were expected to be revealed last month, before it was delayed.