New UCI president Brian Cookson has wasted no time in setting about fulfilling his manifesto promises, having chaired his first extraordinary meeting today.

Measures agreed by the management committee at the meeting included a full audit of the UCI’s current anti-doping systems.

The broad principles of an independent commission to look into the governing body’s alleged past wrong doings and support for women’s cycling was also agreed to.

And former British Cycling chief Cookson is delighted at the progress already being made in the sport.

“There is a huge amount of work to do in the coming months and beyond, but I am excited by the passion and support my colleagues have shown for implementing a real programme of change for the good of cycling,” he said.

“We have made important decisions on women’s cycling, international development, the establishment of a fully independent anti-doping unit and an independent commission to look into allegations of UCI wrong-doing.

“We have also started the process of modernising the UCI’s constitution.

“I would like to thank my Management Committee colleagues for the professional and collegiate way they approached today’s meeting and I am encouraged by the strong sense of common purpose.”

It is hoped the full audit of the anti-doping systems and controls will help pave the way for the formation of an independent UCI anti-doping operation in 2014.

Meanwhile the independent commission, a manifesto commitment of Cookson’s, is being set up with the aim of re-establishing confidence in both the UCI and professional cycling as a whole.

Also agreed at today’s meeting was the establishment of an International Development Commission to review the UCI’s work in restoring such confidence, including the role of Global Cycling Promotion and the World Cycling Centre.

The new commission is expected to report its findings and recommendations in January 2014.

Support for the new Women’s Cycling Commission, chaired by one of Cookson’s vice presidents Tracey Gaudry, was also agreed, with the management committee agreeing to help in the appointing of members and establishing of objectives for the commission.

Cookson also agreed to a remuneration package worth CHF340,000, or about £235,500, reduced by CHF110,000 from the package in place for predecessor Pat McQuaid at the time of the presidential election.

A newly created Remuneration Committee will also review the package on an annual basis.

Former British Cycling policy and legal affairs director Martin Gibbs, who led Cookson’s presidential campaign, was also confirmed as the new chief of staff at the UCI.

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