"His commitment to introduce reforms to address the sport's governance and anti-doping challenges were critical in our considerations.

"We believe that the leadership skills that he has demonstrated so effectively at British Cycling will be transferred to the UCI for the good of cycling on a global level."

Cycling Australia also expressed concern for the reputation and integrity of the UCI resulting from the controversial proposed changes to the constitution to retrospectively change the rules relating to this election with Mueller concluding:

"Even if those changes are legal it is entirely unsatisfactory in any democratic process and it lacks openness, transparency and integrity. Cycling Australia will not be supporting this motion at the UCI General Congress," said Mueller.

The decision of Cycling Australia to back Cookson at the UCI Congress in Florence on September 27 had been widely expected as Mueller had been among the first to publicly criticise Pat McQuaid, the UCI President since 2005 who is seeking a third term.

Brian Cookson (far left) used the opportunity of his trip to Australia for a ride along Bondi Beach

"I am delighted to have the backing of Cycling Australia, who have shown such a positive approach to the development of our sport," said Cookson.

"We have had very productive discussions over recent days and I have listened carefully to their views on the UCI, cycling in Australia and international development.

"We share a real commitment to restoring the credibility of the UCI and strengthening cycling globally.

"I am confident of building on this expression of support in the coming weeks as I meet with federations and voting delegates across the world."

McQuaid had addressed the Cycling Australia Board by teleconference on Saturday.

"The inadequate response in dealing with the fallout from the [Lance] Armstrong affair and subsequent allegations brought against the UCI has emphasised a need for leadership change to allow the sport to move on and realise its enormous potential," said Mueller..

Australia has one of three votes in the Oceania region - along with Fiji and New Zealand - out of the total of 42.

"Hopefully that will spread to the rest of Oceania and the whole three votes of Oceania will come my way," Cookson said.

"I don't take that for granted.

"I'm confident that I'm going to win, but I'm not taking it for granted, there's still a lot of work to be done,"

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
August 2013: Cycling Australia President to step down but seems set to continue support of Cookson
August 2013: Swiss Cycling Federation President quits after "coup" over McQuaid
August 2013: Swiss Cycling withdraws McQuaid nomination for UCI Presidency
August 2013: McQuaid free to stand for UCI Presidency after cleared by lawyers, he claims
August 2013: Exclusive - New doubts over transparency of UCI election after correspondence shows staff intervened in drafting rule change