Winn appointed Welsh national coach

Commonwealth and Olympic Games cyclist Julian Winn has been appointed as the new Welsh Cycling national coach, Welsh Cycling announced yesterday. Winn has experience across many aspects of cycling. As a pro rider with the Fakta team, he completed the Giro d'Italia in 2003 and was 2002 British road race champion. Before his road career, Winn was a successful mountain bike racer, and has also raced cyclo-cross events in the off-season.

Winn's role as Welsh national coach will initially involve leading the Welsh team for the last time at the Tour of Britain in early September, before taking up his position behind the scenes to concentrate on coaching the Welsh team through to the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Australia, March 2006.

Speaking at the announcement of his new job at the Wales National Velodrome in Newport yesterday, 32-year-old Winn said he was delighted to have been appointed to the position. "This is a fantastic opportunity for me to use my experience and knowledge to coach Welsh cyclists to ensure they are performing at the very highest level," said Winn. "We have a number of extremely talented athletes coming through the ranks of Welsh cycling and I intend to ensure that they are given every opportunity to succeed with their goals - starting with the Commonwealth Games."

Winn takes over the job following the departure of Andy Reid. He will be supported in his efforts by coaches at British Cycling, who have also given their support to Winn's appointment. "British Cycling have set the benchmark with their performances in recent World and Olympic competition," aid Winn, "and with so many Welsh cyclists breaking through into British squads, I shall be liaising extremely closely with their coaches to ensure we are all working in the same direction."