Australian coach Gary West talks with Anna Meares during a training session at the Rio Olympic Games velodrome. DAVE HUNT
Sport
Disease forces Cycling Australia head coach to stand down
CYCLING: Gary West has been forced to step down as Cycling Australia's head track sprint coach as he battles motor neurone disease.
West, who was the personal coach of recently retired great Anna Meares, has held the position for eight years.
"As recently diagnosed with MND, the notion 'it won't happen to me' is crap. Get involved, help find a cure. The next victim could be you,” West posted on his Twitter account.
Cycling Australia confirmed Nick Flyger would take over the role until the track world championships in Hong Kong next April.
It also said West would continue to be involved in the country's elite cycling program as an interim technical director.
