Peden steps down from NZ coaching role

Successful cycling coach Anthony Peden is stepping down because his approach is not aligned to that of Cycling New Zealand (CNZ).

Peden, who has been head sprint coach since September 2013, has guided the men’s team sprint trio to unparalleled success with three world championship titles, an Olympic silver medal at Rio and 14 Commonwealth Games medals – including back-to-back golds in the team and individual sprint.

In a CNZ statement announcing he was stepping down yesterday, Peden said his all-encompassing approach is not aligned to that of Cycling New Zealand.

CNZ chief executive Andrew Matheson said he was unable to com- ment on exactly what Peden was referring to because it’s ‘‘his [Peden’s] quote’’.

‘‘He obviously feels that he is not aligned to where we

want to go and Anthony Peden that’s unfortunate,’’

Matheson said. ‘‘Every coach has their own style of operating and Anthony is no different.’’

Matheson revealed there have been attempts to get everyone on the same page before Peden’s decision to stand down.

Matheson said future plans remain on track leading into the 2020 Olympics for the Kiwi sprinters but concedes the perfect result would have been for Peden to continue coaching until after the Tokyo Games.

‘‘I love all the athletes in the sprint programme; they have given me everything that I have asked of them,’’ Peden said in the statement.

‘‘I have put plans and processes in place through to Tokyo and I truly believe that these athletes will be successful in 2020. This is one of the hardest decisions I have made.’’

Following the recent Commonwealth Games success and with the Tokyo Olympic qualifying period approaching, Peden said it was the appropriate time to step away.

Attempts by Stuff to reach Peden were unsuccessful.

Matheson is confident a replacement for Peden will be announced before the World Cup season that begins in October.