A Commission to look into this was promised by Cookson in his manifesto ahead of him being elected to replace McQuaid at the UCI Congress in Florence last September, and the three-strong panel have already begun their work. 

It will be chaired by high profile Swiss politician Dick Marty, with support coming from vice-chairmen Ulrich Haas - a German anti-doping specialist - and former United Nations (UN) war crimes investigator Peter Nicholson.

As state prosecutor in Switzerland, Marty was renowned for his "energetic activities fighting organised crime and drug abuse" and, for more than a decade, he has been a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

As well as being a law Professor at the University of Zurich, Haas is an arbitrator for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) while Australian Nicholson is a former military officer who specialises in criminal investigations in both national and international jurisdictions, including the UN.

Ulrich Haas, pictured sitting to the left of fellow CAS Council Members in 2011, will complement Dick Marty and Peter Nicholson on the Independent Commission ©Getty Images

The Commission members will be assisted by project director Aurélie Merle, who will coordinate the CIRC by making full use of her background with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and London 2012.

Cookson explained how "three individuals at the top of their respective professions have agreed to do this work" when announcing the Commission as part of a New Year Message.

"This Commission will investigate the problems cycling has faced in recent years, especially the allegations that the UCI has been involved in wrongdoing in the past - allegations which have done so much to hurt the credibility of the UCI and our sport," he said.

"Their work will also be focused on understanding what went so wrong in our sport and they will make recommendations for change so that as far as possible those mistakes are not repeated."

Brian Cookson was speaking just months after ousting Pat McQuaid in September's fiercely contested election ©Getty Images

In a message which also marked three months since he became President, Cookson looks forward to 2014 with enthusiasm as a year in which "he and his team will work hard to rebuild trust in cycling and grow the sport globally".

He hailed the "good progress" which has already been made since September in issues such as governance and transparency, women's cycling and international development.

"It has been a very busy three months since my election at the UCI Congress in late September," he said.

"I made a number of important pledges in my manifesto and I am absolutely determined that these promises are not only met but become realities as soon as possible.

"I am extremely fortunate to have a top class, motivated and dedicated team and we've made good progress on a number of fronts.

"The UCI Management Committee has also been totally united and at our special meeting held in October made a number of key decisions on important issues.

"Good progress has also been made on our work to reform men's elite road racing.

"There is plenty more to be done but I'm really encouraged by the positive atmosphere at the meetings we are having with all of cycling's stakeholders and the general willingness to cooperate to build a better and more sustainable future for all involved."

The Commission to improve women's cycling, and the plight of riders therein, such as world champion Marianne Vos of the Netherlands, was another improvement hailed by Brian Cookson ©Getty Images

The plight of women's cycling in comparison with men has been another important issue which Cookson promised to address - with a minimum wage, the expansion of the existing World Cup, and incentives for elite men's teams to include a women's squad three such possibilities.

Cookson is "very pleased" that the new Women's Commission has now met for the first time to start planning its work and that all UCI Commissions now have a female member.

"Work is well under way to transform the broadcast coverage of women's elite cycling's premier series, the UCI Women's Road World Cup and I am really committed to unlocking the fantastic potential of women's cycling," he added.