Ryan, founder of the Australian arm of caravan manufacturer Jayco, is the owner of professional cycling team Orica-GreenEDGE.

Cycling Australia also announced the appointment of former senior Australian Football League administrator Adrian Anderson as interim chief executive, replacing Graham Fredericks.

Ryan and Anderson will be expected to lead the sport through a difficult period in the sport's history in Australia.

Cycling Australia was the subject of an inquiry into its anti-doping processes last year, while the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has also criticised the sport's governance, threatening to withhold 20 per cent of its Government funding unless improvements are made.

These include demanding that Cycling Australia, BMX Australia and Mountainbike Australia merge into one governing body.

"We currently have Australian world champions in each of the road, track, mountain bike and BMX disciplines, we've won stages in each of the three men's Grand Tours for the first time ever this year and we recently crowned Caroline Buchanan as the youngest ever female winner of the 'Oppy' cyclist of the year medal," said Ryan.

"However, there is certainly restructuring required to tighten processes and reduce the inefficient duplication of resources.

"I look forward to working closely with Adrian over the coming months to create a collaborative environment that continues to deliver champion riders across the four disciplines, but does so in a manner that is underpinned by sound business principles."

World BMX champion Caroline Buchanan is one of Australian cycling's most marketable young stars which Gerry Ryan hopes to help promote the sport

ASC chairman John Wylie helped persuade Ryan to take up the role.

"It is fitting and most welcome that a person so well respected by corporate Australia takes on the Presidency of Cycling Australia at this critical time of major reform for the sport," said Wylie.

Ryan's appointment was also welcomed by Australian Olympic Committee President John Coates.

"Gerry has made a tremendous contribution to the sport for over two decades," Coates said.

"He has supported individual riders including Kathy Watt when she won gold in 1992 and he has sponsored cycling tours, cycling programmes and, more recently, he formed the GreenEDGE team.

"He is committed to the sport and his drive and passion in the role of Cycling Australia President will be of great benefit to cyclists at all levels."

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