Park Shakes Up British Cycling

Further dismissals may follow that of star endurance coach Salzwedel

- Vern Pitt

British Cycling performance director Stephen Park put his mark on the elite programme in emphatic style last week, dismissing multiple gold-medal winning men’s endurance coach Heiko Salzwedel as part of an ongoing restructuring within the organisation.

Salzwedel, who has been key to Team GB’s gold-medal winning performances, was said to be surprised by the decision to let him go.

His dismissal was part of an ongoing shake-up of the elite cycling programme’s staff and follows in the wake of BMX coach Grant White being made redundant earlier this year and physio Hanlie Fouche, who is leaving.

Some inside the organisation expect further changes and some staff are concerned that “everything is run like an office” since Park’s arrival and “cycling is not a normal business”. “The atmosphere is not great,” one told CW.