The 34-year-old, whose most notable victory came when he won the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in 2010, defeated American Para-cyclist Greta Neimanas by seven votes to six to secure the position.

“Brian Cookson wanted more interaction with the riders and that is a very good step for cyclists in all disciplines,” Traksel said.

“We were chosen by the athletes and we are the voice of the riders.

“I am very happy to have been elected President and now the work begins.”

As part of his role, he will be co-opted onto the UCI’s ruling Management Committee and will be expected to attend the Committee’s three meetings during the calendar year, held in January, June and September.

Traksel will serve in the role until 2017 along with the newly-appointed members of the Commission.

“The riders - across all disciplines - have elected their President and I look forward to welcoming Bobbie to the Management Committee at our next meeting in January,” Cookson said.

“I am very happy that only a few months after the announcement of its revision, the UCI Athletes’ Commission is now ready to give riders the place they deserve at the highest administrative level of our sport.”

Olympic road race champion Marianne Vos of The Netherlands and London 2012 sprint gold medallist Anna Meares of Australia are the two star names on the list of the members of the UCI Athletes’ Commission, which includes representatives of each of cycling’s eight official disciplines.

They were all elected in June and their appointments follow the modernisation of the Commission was announced in March as part of Cookson’s aim to achieve openness and transparency in the sport.

The members have 40 UCI World Championship titles and four Olympic golds between them.

Although it will not have any decision making powers, the Athletes’ Commission will be able to draw up proposals for the UCI.