Cycling Australia President to step down

Cycling Australia (CA) President Klaus Mueller has announced he is stepping down after almost four years in the role.

Mueller, a barrister, said he was no longer able to handle the demands of the presidency and given the sport's current challenges, the time was right to hand over the reins to a new leader.

Mueller was elected to the position in November, 2009, and will remain in the role until the end of September to oversee the transition to his successor.

With The CA board has appointed a committee to search for his replacement.

Mueller listed Cadel Evans' 2011 Tour de France triumph and Anna Meares' Olympic gold in London last year as among the highlights of his time in charge. However, his tenure has coincided with a period of unprecedented challanges for the sport as it has been rocked by drug use at the elite level.

Cycling Australia has also been under scrutiny since January when the release of an independent review into its governance included 16 recommendations to safeguard the future of the sport which has endured a torrid 12 months marred by doping scandals.

Reflecting on his period as President, Mueller told media "given the challenges the sport is currently facing the timing is right to hand the reins over to a new leader with a different skill set to enable the sport to realise its enormous commercial potential."

"I have and will continue to push for change within the UCI to ensure that the tarnished international reputation of the sport is restored."

Noting Mueller's departure, Austaalian Sports Commission (ASC) Chairman John Wylie AM thanked him for his contribution and commitment to the sport, stating "during Klaus' time as president, Australian cycling has experienced some of its greatest successes on the world stage, perhaps most notably the victory of Cadel Evans at the 2011 Tour De France.

"He leaves the sport with Australia boasting a wealth of world class junior cycling talent ready to take the next step into senior ranks along with a deeply talented female cycling squad, which includes the likes of Anna Meares.

"The ASC looks forward to working closely with the Board and new President of Cycling Australia at what Klaus has rightfully acknowledged is a critical time for the sport."

The ASC will invest $8 million in funding to Cycling Australia in 2013/14 making it the second biggest recipient of ASC investment. The ASC will work closely with CA as it undertakes a process to identify a new President.

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