Cycling: Cheatley upset at lack of replacement

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Outgoing national track coach Ron Cheatley is devastated Cycling New Zealand have yet to find his replacement.

CNZ general manager Mark Harris said yesterday that the search for Cheatley's replacement would now extend into the New Year after a third choice had pulled out of discussions at the last minute.

"I'm not sure what the reasons are for their failure to come up with someone," said Cheatley. "I've tried to keep out of it.

"But I'm really disappointed that it has come to this.

"I had told them two years ago that my time was pretty much over. I would hate to see all the good we have achieved wasted."

While Cheatley is determined he will not be lured back into the day-to-day involvement the national coaching job demands, he admitted he might have to take a caretaker role in the interim.

"I have kept in touch with most of them," said Cheatley. "Obviously most of my interest has been in the pursuit squad but I have also been in contact with some of the individuals."

Harris admitted it has been frustrating trying to fill the post, particularly when CNZ thought they had Cheatley's replacement lined up during the Olympics.

Harris said it was difficult to pinpoint a single reason for the candidates' pulling out. He said money was a factor, especially with the weak New Zealand dollar.

Rather than offer the job to one of the four candidates interviewed this month, Harris said the association will cast the net wider.

"We're back to square one and we advertised again yesterday."

Meanwhile, New Zealand's most successful track cyclist, Gary Anderson, is taking a wait-and-see attitude about his future in the sport.

"I'll get out on the bike in the New Year and see what happens," said Anderson. "It's a good time to look at a change.

"There is a change of direction from just about everyone in the squad. There is no animosity.

"We are all at crossroads, some are thinking about retiring. We achieved what we set out to do."

Anderson added that he would eventually like to look at coaching but admits he has no qualifications.

"Just a lot of knowledge in my head," he said. "Depending on how busy I am with the family I'd like to have a go at some coaching courses at some stage."