Cycling: National track cycling coach quits

SYDNEY: Under-fire national track cycling coach Kurt Innes has severed ties with BikeNZ weeks after copping criticism for his Olympic preparation of the Olympic team pursuit squad.

Canadian Innes yesterday joined compatriot and former BikeNZ high performance director Warren Lister as post-Athens departures from the sport's governing body.

BikeNZ chief executive Rodger Thompson said Innes had confirmed he did not plan to apply for a permanent position with BikeNZ when his fixed-term contract expired on October 31.

On learning this development, Thompson said BikeNZ had agreed terms with Innes to terminate his contract with immediate effect.

Innes came in for strong criticism from members of the track pursuit squad, which finished 10th and last in qualifying at the Olympics a month ago.