The pair were chosen during separate male and female ballots at this weekend's World Championships in Bieles in Luxembourg. 

Switzerland's Zahner triumphed by a just a single vote in the male poll as he tallied 29 to edge out Belgium's Sven Nys, a former double world champion, who ended on 28.

Another Belgian in Wout van Aert received 13 votes while Francis Mourey of France and Thijs van Amerongen of The Netherlands received eight and six respectively.

There were four abstentions.

The Czech Republic's Nash, who won her second elite World Championship bronze medal in Bieles, received 34 votes in the women's ballot to emerge as a comfortable victor.

Second-placed Dutchwoman Sophie de Boer received 18 with American Katherine Compton on 17.

Marianne Vos, who was denied an eighth cyclo-cross world title in Bieles as Sanne Cant of Belgium edged her into silver, came last in the election despite previously holding a seat.

The Netherlands' double Olympic gold medallist received 16 votes, while there were three abstentions. 

The election came following the decision to overhaul all UCI Commissions in 2017.

The UCI has opted to increase the representation of its various disciplines on the Commission by modifying its electoral system to include male and female elections for each.

It means the Commission will grow from 13 to 16 members, with an equal gender balance across all eight cycling disciplines. 

Dutch road cyclist Bobbie Traksel is the current President.