Cycling Australia will recruit new roles including a Director of Coaching and Director of Performance Pathways but the exact number was not specified in the statement released late yesterday.
The restructure, focused mainly on the track and para programs, aims to streamline communication, training and preparation operations into 'tighter peformance support teams.'
The review was intially scheduled for post Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020 but Cycling Australia brought it forward to ensure a 'smooth transition to new operations ahead of the rescheduled Games in 2021.'
The Australian Cycling Team's performance director, Simon Jones said a restructure now is in the program's best interests.
“The period post-Tokyo 2021 will see a condensed competition phase that includes the 2021 Road and Track Cycling World Championships, Paralympic and Olympic Nation / World Cups, followed shortly by Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 which is a major objective for the team," Jones said.
“We believe these changes increase our chance of success in 2021 with more focussed and strategically aligned teams, and at the same time we will look closely at our pathway strategies over the coming months to ensure we have a surplus of talent creating upward pressure in the pathway to meet Cycling’s 2024 and 2028 medal potential.”
Cycling Australia CEO Steve Drake echoed Jones' sentiments.
“I would like to thank the departing staff members for their significant contributions to the Australian Cycling Team during their tenures," Drake said.
"While we are very conscious of the timing of these decisions, the deferral of the Olympic and Paralympic Games necessitated these changes being made now and is in the best interests of the athletes and the broader performance team.”
Cycling Central contacted Cycling Australia for further comment but did not receive a response before publishing.
