By Nick Butler

Bob Howden is the only candidate nominated to become the new President of British CyclingOctober 3 - Bob Howden is poised to replace Brian Cookson as the President of British Cycling after the current vice-chairman was the only nomination put forward ahead of the National Council in November.


Howden has been a member of the Board of British Cycling for the last 13 years and was nominated by them as well as by the Yorkshire, South and Central regional associations.

He is currently serving as the acting chair of the organisation following Cookson's appointment as President of the International Cycling Union (UCI) last month after he beat incumbent Pat McQuaid in a fiercely contested election in Florence.

The battle to find Cookson's replacement looks to be much simpler and far less bitterly contested.

Howden described his feelings as "both delighted and humbled" following his announcement as the only nomination.

"It's a tough act to follow someone with the stature of Brian Cookson, who I have worked closely with as his vice-chairman for many years, but I believe, and I'm sure Brian would agree, that the best is yet to come from British Cycling," he said.

If successful Howden will aim to continue the success under Cooksons reign which included a plethora of Olympic champions including double gold medal winner at London 2012 Laura TrottRob Howden will be aiming to continue the success of British Cycling, which included a plethora of Olympic champions, such as London 2012 double gold medallist Laura Trott


As well as being on the Board, Howden is currently serving as chair of the Regional Commission and on the Commissaire and Referees and Anti-Doping Commissions.

Although he will continue with all of these roles until the National Council meeting on November 9, he will step down from his role as a member of the Audit Commission.

He has also raced for the last 24 years and was a former junior division road champion who represented West Yorkshire at divisional level.

He has 35 years of experience as a race organiser, including of the National Men's and Women's Elite Road Race Championships in 2005, 2008 and 2012 and the annual Ryedale Grand Prix.

Howden has a particular affiliation with Yorkshire and has been chair of the Yorkshire Region for the last 12 years as well as the founder of the Yorkshire Festival of Cycling.

The festival will be held next July to coincide with the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in the White Rose county.

Away from cycling, Howden is the owner and managing director of a construction related group of companies including Grass Concrete Limited.

The National Council Meeting will be held on Saturday November 9.

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