BikeNZ road coach to return to native Canada

Jacques Landry, who has headed BikeNZ's European Training Centre for the past five years, resigned his position for personal reasons to return to his native Canada. Landry, a two-time Olympian, has accepted a position with the Canadian Cycling Association to the new role of Chief Technical Officer.

Landry established New Zealand's European base at Limoux, France, which has provided a Northern Hemisphere foundation for Kiwi cyclists.

"My decision to leave BikeNZ was a difficult one but ultimately an important one for personal reasons," Landry said.

"While I will greatly miss the athletes, coaches and all in the New Zealand cycling community, I leave with the confidence that BikeNZ cycling is well on the road to excellence due to great leadership and with the pride of knowing that I have been a part of this growth over the last five years."

BikeNZ High Performance Director Mark Elliott said Landry has played an outstanding role in the organisation and he is sorry to see him depart. "Jacques has made a huge contribution to our sport, especially in establishing our base in France and also in developing key contacts within the cycling community in Europe which will be very important for our future.

"We fully understand Jacques' desire to return to his home in Canada and we wish him every success in the future."

Elliott said that BikeNZ was in process of evaluating plans for its road cycling programme through to the London Olympics and beyond. Landry, who coached the road team in Beijing, has returned to complete his duties in Limoux before taking up his new role towards the end of the year.