AusCycling charts the future of performance

AusCycling's Performance team has launched the next phase of its evolution, restructuring several roles and responsibilities to meet the challenge of a packed elite competition schedule.

This includes the first all-discipline World Championships in Glasgow next year, followed by the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the first African-hosted Road World Championships in 2025, and the Commonwealth Games to be held in Victoria in 2026.

“We made a significant strategic shift when we re-organised what were several siloed sports into Endurance, and Acceleration and Action,” Executive General Manager Performance, Jesse Korf, said.

“We want to enable athletes to move between endurance sports if they choose to, help them win a pro contract if possible, and then invite them to compete in the biggest races on the planet in the green and gold. The integration of para and able endurance athletes is also a major priority.”

Korf said while the first phase of the restructure saw the appointment of Gene Bates as Head Coach, Endurance, and Scott Gardner as Head Coach, Action and Acceleration, the team was moving into a more granular phase where roles are redesigned and redefined to support the execution of the strategy.

Among the key appointments will be two Sports Director positions for the men’s and women’s road teams, and the new role of European Coordinator.

The creation of these positions – which will help in delivering national team activities – means there is no longer a requirement for an Elite Road Coordinator – a position held with distinction by Rory Sutherland for the past two years.

“Rory has been an important part of our success for some time,” Korf said. “He has overseen great results at some pinnacle events including World Championships and the Commonwealth Games and he has played a pivotal role in the evolution of our culture, which has been a focus in the past year.

“Rory leaves us after helping to secure four medals at the recent UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong and that’s a fitting exclamation point on what has been an impressive stint in our system.”

Bates thanked Sutherland for his significant contribution.

“Rory’s impact and contributions to our national team’s performances on the road over the past two years has been enormous, and we thank him for all his work in delivering many exceptional performances by Australian athletes.”

Sutherland will leave the role on December 31.

Photo: Craig Render / RCPix