HEIKO SALZWEDEL TO RETURN TO BRITISH CYCLING

• Friday, 7 November 2008
• Cycling Weekly
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German coach Heiko Salzwedel is set to rejoin British Cycling.

Shane Sutton confirmed that the former Australia and Denmark coach, who left British Cycling in 2002 after clashes with riders, is coming back.

Salzwedel was instrumental in setting up the Australian Institute Sport and joined British Cycling at national track manager in 2001.

His most recent job has been with the Danish Cycling Federation and under his stewardship the Danes have become a major force in team pursuiting, pushing Great Britain hard at the World Championships and Olympic Games.

Sutton said: “I am really, really excited about that. I have as much respect for him as I have anyone in the world.

“You prove the worth of someone or something with evidence and Heiko has proved he’s one of the best in the world with all his work with the Aussies. There’s that great generation of the McEwens and the Matty Whites and the Vogels and of late he’s done a remarkable job with the Danes.

“In some ways he’s got a lot of unfinished business here. There’s no real job title at the moment but he’ll be a key part of the coaching set-up. He’ll help me look after the World Cups this winter and then we’ll sit down and work out exactly what role he’ll take.”

Salzwedel joined Denmark's cycling federation in 2005 and during his time as national coach the country's team pursuit quartet improved from a 4-12 team to one that could comfortably break four minutes.