Cycling News

Home

  • Home
  • Road
  • Track
  • Calendar
  • Pundits
  • Video
  • Live
  • Team Sky
  • Sky Sports Cycling Twitter
  • Team Sky Twitter

British Cycling recruit sprint coach Justin Grace from rivals France ahead of Rio Olympics

Last Updated: 27/08/14 4:09pm

Justin Grace will be tasked with reviving the form of British sprinters such as Jason Kenny
Justin Grace will be tasked with reviving the form of British sprinters such as Jason Kenny

British Cycling have bolstered their coaching ranks ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games by recruiting respected sprint specialist Justin Grace from the French Cycling Federation.

Grace, who is from New Zealand, had been with the French squad for a year and was a key figure behind Francois Pervis’s three gold medals at this year's world championships, but was replaced as their sprint coach in June.

He will now be tasked with helping to return Great Britain to the top of world sprinting following a dip in results since London 2012.

Triple Olympic champion Jason Kenny and the men’s team sprint trio have struggled for form over the past two years, and while Becky James won two world titles in 2013, Britain’s women have not yet consistently filled the hole left by Victoria Pendleton.

British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton said: “At this stage of the Olympic cycle, we are looking to bolster the staffing team and I believe that to have someone of Justin’s calibre and expertise will enhance our medal prospects for Rio.

'Valuable asset'

“Justin has been on both sides of track sprint. He has enjoyed success as an athlete and he has coached sprinters to Olympic medals and world titles, and I think he will be a valuable asset to the Great Britain Cycling Team.”

Grace is a former track sprinter who won 13 national titles and represented New Zealand at the 2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Prior to joining the French coaching set-up, he spent five years revolutionising New Zealand’s sprint programme and helped the team win a series of world and Olympic medals.

“It’s an exciting time to be joining the Great Britain Cycling Team,” Grace said. “They have an established reputation of being the team to beat when it comes to the Olympics and I’m looking forward to contributing to their future successes.”

Grace will start his role with British Cycling on September 1 and join current sprint coaches Iain Dyer and Jan van Eijden.

Trending

  • 1
    Salah crowned PFA Player of the Year
  • 2
    Neville on Simeone for Arsenal
  • 3
    How Benitez has transformed Newcastle
  • 4
    Jose: When I don't win, you kill me
  • 5
    Wenger 'hurt' by Arsenal fans
  • 6
    Povetkin expects to be 'next' for AJ
  • 7
    Neville's De Bruyne tribute
  • 8
    Salah's special season
  • 9
    Salah: Roma reunion not easy for me
  • 10
    McLaren readying big upgrade
  • Video
  • Latest News

Around Sky Sports

Team Sky on stage one of the 2016 Volta a Catalunya

Team Sky

Discover more about the British team at www.teamsky.com

Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas during stage two of the 2016 Volta a Catalunya

Team Sky Twitter

Keep up with all the team's latest news at @teamsky

Sir Bradley Wiggins, Dubai Tour 2016

WIGGINS

Visit the Facebook page of Sir Bradley Wiggins' road team

WIGGINS 2016 jersey

WIGGINS Twitter

Keep up with all the team's latest news at @OfficialWIGGINS

Great Britain, women's team pursuit, Laura Trott, UCI Track Cycling World Championships held at National Velodrome on February 19, 2015 in Paris, France.

British Cycling

Follow Britain's track riders

  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • Tennis
    • Cycling
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Motorsport
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • WWE
    • eSports
    • More Sports
    • Winter Olympics
    • Commonwealth Games
    • Joshua vs Parker
  • Score Centre
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Competitions
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Pub Finder
    • Team Sky
    • Sportswomen
    • Sports Scholarships
    • Clubs in Communities
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Living for Sport
    • Contact Us
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Sky.com
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
    • Team Sky
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Sky Sports Pub Finder
    • Living for Sport
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Corporate
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Now TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Sky Academy
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Work for Sky
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

©2018 Sky UK