Newton takes GB road post
Chris Newton has been appointed as coach of the Great Britain's women's road squad ahead of London 2012.
Last Updated: 15/03/12 1:28pm
Chris Newton has been appointed as coach of the Great Britain's women's road squad ahead of the London Olympics.
British Cycling have confirmed that Newton, who won Olympic medals in Sydney, Athens and Beijing, will combine his role as coach of the men's endurance academy with his new position.
The 38-year-old will be in charge as Britain begin preparations to defend the gold medal won by Nicole Cooke four years ago.
"We're confident that Chris' skills and capabilities will ensure that the women's road team arrive at the London 2012 Olympic Games ready to give their best possible performance," British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford said.
Newton will work with an initial six riders, while the International Cycling Union (UCI) is set to confirm at the end of May if the hosts have qualified the maximum number of four riders for the 140-kilometre event on July 29.
Lizzie Armitstead, Emma Pooley, Lucy Martin and Sharon Laws, all of whom ride for Dutch team AA Drink-leontien.nl, will be joined by Cooke (Faren Honda Team) and Katie Colcough (Team Specialized-lululemon) in the squad.
Newton said: "It's a privilege to be working with such a talented group of riders and I am looking forward to this new challenge.
"What started out as eight or nine riders on the long list has been shortened down to six riders. My role looks over those six riders."
The squad have already trained on the Olympic road course and at Hampton Court Palace, the venue for the August 1 29km time-trial, and further camps are to be held before the Games commence.
