Shane Sutton has resigned as British Cycling technical director, a statement said. The 58-year-old Australian tendered his resignation after another day of allegations of discrimination.

“I believe it is in the best interests of British Cycling for me to step down from my position as technical director,” he said in a statement issued yesterday.

British Cycling suspended Sutton on Tuesday after it was claimed he called Paralympic cyclists “gimps”, shortly after announcing an independent review into claims of sexism made by Jess Varnish.

Yesterday marked 100 days to August’s 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and Sutton quit.

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