Sutton, who joined the British Cycling set up in 2002, has been credited with playing a major role in developing the sport in the UK as head coach before taking over as technical director in 2014.

He has been lauded for helping build a team which claimed eight gold at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and again in London 2012, and was named the 2008 coach of the year in the UK Coaching Awards before being awarded a OBE in 2010.

However, he stepped down overnight, Australian time, amid claims of harassment levelled at him by cyclist Jess Varnish and para-cyclist Darren Kenny.

Varnish alleged Sutton told her to “move on and have a baby” after she failed to qualify for this year’s Olympics, while Kenny says the Australian referred to members of the disability team as “gimps”.

Sutton denies these allegations but, 100 days out from the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, he stepped down to avoid a storm crushing Britain’s potential cycling gold rush.

“It is absolutely crucial that, as our athletes begin their final preparations for Rio, they are able to do so free of distraction,” he said in a statement.

“The developments over the past few days have clearly become a distraction.

“It is for this reason, and having spoken to friends and family, that I believe it is in the best interests of British Cycling for me to step down from my position as technical director.”

Sutton welcomed the review into British Cycling which is now set to take place.

“I have made clear that I reject the specific claims that have been made against me in recent days, and I look forward to taking a full part in the review process so I can respond to the allegations in detail,” he said.

-AAP