AusLeisure

Gerry Ryan, a longstanding financial backer of cycling, has been named the new President of Cycling Australia, a move welcomed by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).

Ryan, who will succeed Klaus Mueller in the role, is the founder of the Australian arm of caravan manufacturer Jayco and the the owner of Australian professional cycling team GreenEDGE.

With Jayco sponsoring major races in Australia and Australian cycling's high performance operation, the ASC is confident Ryan's potential conflicts of interests are manageable.

Ryan takes on the top job at Cycling Australia at a vital time for the sport in Australia, with the sport having been the subject of an inquiry into its anti-doping processes last year.

At that time, the ASC criticised Cycling Australia's governance, threatening to withhold 20% of its funding unless improvements were made.

The ASC has demanded that Cycling Australia, BMX Australia and Mountainbike Australia merge into one governing body.

Welcoming the appointment, ASC Chair John Wylie highlighted Ryan's business experience, his passion for cycling and his skills to lead cycling into a new era.

Wylie explained "Gerry's support for Australian cyclists has been sustained over a long period of time.

"He established and continues to support both male and female cyclists through Australia's first professional team, Orica GreenEDGE.

"His support for cyclists goes back to the early 1990s when he provided financial support to Kathy Watt to assist her win gold at the Barcelona Olympics.

Ryan has had a highly successful career in business ranging from manufacturing to entertainment, sport and property.

In 1975 he founded Jayco which is now Australia's largest manufacturer of recreational vehicles, and is currently Chair of international entertainment group Global Creatures.

He has significant experience in sports governance including having served as a Director of the St Kilda AFL football club during the 1990s, helping to revive both the club's financial and on-field performance.

The ASC will invest $8 million in funding to Cycling Australia in 2013-14 making it the second biggest recipient of government investment.

Cycling Australia also announced the appointment of former senior AFL administrator Adrian Anderson as interim Chief Executive, replacing Graham Fredericks.

3rd February 2013 - GOVERNMENT ENDORSES BLUEPRINT TO PROTECT THE FUTURE OF AUSTRALIAN CYCLING

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