Six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy has paid tribute to the role of Sky in promoting cycling in the UK.
British Cycling has announced it will end its eight-year partnership with Sky in 2016.
The decision has been described as amicable by British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake.
Hoy, speaking at the launch of Six Day London, said: "The relationship with Sky and British Cycling has been central to the success of cycling in our country.
"There's no question it's been a fantastic relationship. I personally have a lot to thank them for. I think the whole of the country does, really, because you see the success GB cycling has had, it wouldn't have happened without their support."
The governing body joined forces with the broadcaster in 2008 to help raise the sport's profile and has since seen cycling reach new heights of success, with Great Britain winning a combined total of 16 gold, 11 silver and seven bronze medals at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Hoy won two gold medals at London 2012 before retiring as Britain's most successful Olympian with six gold medals.
Drake said: "British Cycling and Sky will remain firm friends and part with great mutual affection, having achieved amazing things together.
"The last 10 years have been brilliant for our sport - our membership and participation in cycle sport continues to grow, we've encouraged over 1.7 million people to cycle regularly with even more starting all the time and we are seeing the emergence of a new generation of cycling heroes.
"Successes for British riders at London 2012 transformed the country's sporting expectations but winning medals was never an end in itself - we have harnessed those achievements to inspire unprecedented growth in participation.
"The job is far from finished and British Cycling has a strong culture of setting and hitting ambitious targets so we relish the challenge as we set our sights on what we want to achieve beyond Rio 2016.
"To achieve these ambitions we need to increase investment into our sport and have therefore developed a clear commercial approach to support our 2017-2025 strategy.
"We look forward to engaging with a wide range of partners who want to join us on this exciting journey."
Sky Group chief executive Jeremy Darroch said: "We're immensely proud of our great partnership with the whole team at British Cycling. This is a lasting legacy and we will give everything to make the final 18 months of our relationship just as successful.
"Our long-term commitment to cycling continues and we will work with British Cycling to identify a new partner who can help bring even more success in the future."
Source: PA-WIRE
