Verbiest, a Belgian lawyer, was never a full-time employee of the UCI but has been involved with them for more than 25 years.

He was a key architect of the governing body's Constitution and was closely involved in the drugs controversies that have rocked the sport, including the Lance Armstrong scandal.

He was a close ally of former UCI President Hein Verbruggen and Pat McQuaid, who Cookson defeated in the election in Florence last week.

Vebriest had been central in the controversy to try to ensure that McQuaid was eligible to stand against Cookson and was involved in the row at the UCI Congress trying to defend the Irishman's nominations from Morocco and Thailand.

Following McQuaid's defeat it is no surprise that Cookson has moved quickly to sever Vebriest's ties with the UCI.

Martin Gibbs, who masterminded Brian Cookson's successful campaign to become the new President of the International Cycling Union, has been appointed as the new chief of staff

It is also no surprise that Cookson has found a senior position within the UCI for Gibbs, who masterminded his successful election campaign and was by his side throughout the four-month journey.

Gibbs will leave his role as policy and legal affairs director at British Cycling immediately to take up his new role.

He had been an influential figure in British Cycling increasingly vocal road safety campaigning, lobbying Government to make the country's roads safer for riders.

It marks a return to the UCI for Gibbs who had previously worked briefly there under McQuaid before leaving to join British Cycling. 

Last Saturday (September 28), the day after his election, Cookson had replaced the three vice-presidents who had served under McQuaid - Hee Wook Cho of South Korea, Renato Di Rocco of Italy and Artur Lopes of Portugal - and replaced them with some of his closest allies, including France's David Lappartient, President of the European Cycling Union and Australian Tracey Gaudry, head of the Oceania Confederation.

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