The Frenchman secured a convincing victory at today's election here, securing 37 of the 45 votes on offer to unseat Cookson, the incumbent President.

The decision was made by 45 voting delegates at the Congress here in the Norwegian city, which is coinciding with the UCI Road World Championships.

The voters included nine delegates each from Africa, the Americas and Asia, with three more from Oceania.

Europe had the largest bloc with 15 delegates.

Lappartinent, who has served as the European Cycling Union (UEC) and French Cycling Federation President, believes the clear backing given to him is due to voting delegates seeking greater support from the international federation and having stronger leadership.

"Getting 37 votes out of the 45 voting delegates means it is a clear result, not a photo finish," Lappartinent said.

"The national federations wanted to have a new leadership and they received my programme and saw about the way I want to lead the UCI in a positive way.

"It is important I received support from all the confederations, I am not the President elected from just a couple of continents, I will work for all cycling.

"One of the most important aspects of my programme was that I wanted the UCI to have strong leadership and I hope I can provide this, as I have done in the UEC.

"I also think we must put the national federations at the centre of the UCI, which I think is probably the message from today.

"I think the gap is the result of this.

"The national federations were perhaps expecting more support from the UCI.

"Of course, there were a lot of things going in a good way at the UCI, but I had voiced my concerns on some points.

"I think we must really be involved in the development of cycling, with our satellite centres becoming important across the world.

"We also need a strong solidarity programme, but we have to be careful that it runs in the right way."

In his speech prior to the election, Lappartinent argued the voice of the UCI Management Committee had not been listened to over the past four years.

He also vowed to increase the transparency of the UCI, boost the governing body's solidarity efforts and put the UCI at the service of national federations.

Cookson had claimed before the election that former rival Pat McQuaid, who he himself unseated in 2013, had been actively campaigning for Lappartient to win the election.

It was suggested Lappartient had offered the Irishman a position within the governing body, with the possibility of him becoming the UCI's Honorary President.

Lappartient has rejected these suggestions, stating that McQuaid would not be returning to the UCI in any capacity but would be free to attend races.

The Frenchman said that developing women's cycling was among his priorities, as well as achieving a better economic model for men's professional cycling.

"I believe we have to continue to develop cycling for all the disciplines, specifically women's cycling," he said.

"It is something very important and we are in a good way after the last four years, but we have to continue.

"I am also looking to work with men's road cycling and we have been able to have a reform agreement with the stakeholders, but really I think it was a small compromise.

"We need to bring and deliver a better economic model for cycling, which will be an aim for the next four years.

"I am looking to work with all the stakeholders on this, even if it might not be easy, but we have to be strong."

Cookson, who was seeking to secure a second term in office, has offered his congratulations to his successor.

The 66-year-old believes he has left the governing body as a better organisation than it was when he became President in 2013, with the Briton citing an improved relationship with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as among his achievements.

"First of all, I would like to congratulate David Lappartient on winning today's election at the UCI Congress," said Cookson.

"The UCI I leave behind is unrecognisable from the organisation I took over in 2013 and I depart with my head held high.

"Someone needed to stand up and take on the previous regime, who had dragged cycling into the gutter and I leave the UCI knowing that I have delivered all the promises I made four years ago.

"I am proud of the work that I have overseen and I am proud of the tireless work that my team and I have undertaken to make the UCI an International Federation that is respected around the world.

"Our beloved sport of cycling is in a healthier condition than for generations.

"Our relationships with key stakeholders such as the IOC, WADA, sponsors, race organisers, teams, riders and, most importantly, our fans, is stronger than it has ever been.

"I am tremendously disappointed not to have been given a mandate to complete the work we began four years ago and I hope that David Lappartient will continue to move cycling in the right direction."

The former UCI President said he will now seek to spend more time with his family.

Cookson is the first UCI President to only serve a single term.