Bannan signs with Pro Cycling Australia

Australian cycling coach Shayne Bannan has been appointed Team Manager of Pro Cycling Australia, the Australian company with an ambitious plan to contest the 2009 Tour de France. In his role with Pro Cycling Australia, Bannan will be responsible for overseeing the establishment and operation of the first-ever Australian ProTour cycling team.

"The Tour de France is the world's most prestigious cycling event and every coach aspires to one day lead a team into this great race," said Bannan. "The fact that this team will be representing Australia and featuring some of our greatest cyclists makes it even more special."

A former elite-level track and road cyclist, Bannan has spent the past seven years as High Performance Director of the Cycling Australia/Australian Institute of Sport High Performance Program. For the past two years Bannan has been Business Manager of the Australian Sports Commission's European Training Centre in Italy, which, when completed in 2008, will act as the base for Australian athletes from all sports who travel to Europe to compete at the top level.

"There is a long road in front of us but it will all be worth it when a green and gold team lines up in the 2009 Tour de France," he said.

Bannan has been involved as a cyclist or coach in the past five Olympic Games, four Commonwealth Games and numerous World Championships. Pro Cycling Australia is back by the Roamfree Group, who committed $20 million to fund the organisation earlier this year.