Cheatley calls time on successful stint
Cycling New Zealand coach Dayle Cheatley will leave his full-time position leading the track cycling programme at the end of the year.
The 39-year-old said he believed he was no longer able to commit to the role’s constant demands in the leadup to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
‘‘The role requires a person to be able to give 100 percent to the team and create an environment for the athletes to be the best they can be. I can no longer see myself being able to be that person.’’
Cheatley, who has spent most of his life closely involved in cycling as a rider and coach, has been a part of Cycling New Zealand’s high performance programme since 2008.
After the 2012 London Olympics, Cheatley was elevated to the role of head coach, overseeing the programme and working with the coaching team through to the Rio Olympics.
In his almost 10 years with the programme, New Zealand cyclists have won seven world champion- ship titles on the track among 35 medals in total, with only 11 medals in its history until 2009.
However, Cheatley said the coach’s role is far more than pure results. ‘‘It’s about equipping an athlete with the tools for them to succeed, not just in their chosen sport but also in life after sport and to pass this on to others.’’
He rates the world championship silver medal in the points race by Lauren Ellis at Copenhagen in 2010 as ‘‘the gutsiest ride from a female that I have coached’’.
His most satisfying was the silver medal by the men’s team pursuit at the world championships this year when they set the fastest ever time by a New Zealand team.
‘‘What was special as a coach was the process behind that campaign and the performance environment created for these athletes to bury themselves for their team-mates and for the jersey.’’
Cycling New Zealand chief executive Andrew Matheson said Cheatley has been a key part of the organisation and someone they did not want to lose. ‘‘We tried to talk him out of leaving but ultimately we respect him and his decision.’’
Matheson confirmed Cheatley would transition out of the role through to his departure at the end of the year, with current assistant coach Matt Shallcrass to take over the reins as men’s endurance coach through to the Commonwealth Games.