The UCI says the three-member commission formed with the aid of John Coates will include a "respected senior lawyer," a "forensic accountant" and "an experienced sports administrator."

The UCI says "all three members will be independent of cycling."

The inquiry is seen as a key to restoring the UCI's damaged credibility following the Armstrong affair.

The governing body has been accused of covering up Armstrong's suspicious doping tests and unethically accepting US$125,000 from him.

The UCI says it is already contacting officials recommended by Coates, an Australian lawyer who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee executive board.

Sylvia Schenk, an anti-corruption expert and a former International Cycling Union board member earlier this month provided the UCI and the public with a set of recommendations related to the necessary characteristics of an independent commission and called for the necessary resources to be provided to such a commission.