Cycling: Kiwi coach Justin Grace to miss World Cup after liver transplant

Former BikeNZ sprint coach Justin Grace. Photo / Brett Phibbs

British cycling sprint coach Justin Grace will miss this weekend's track World Cup in Glasgow after having a liver transplant.

The New Zealander, appointed in September 2014, has been suffering from liver failure and has been on the transplant list for some time.

Grace's condition was known within the British Cycling set-up, even prior to the Rio Olympics, where he helped contribute to Britain's six gold medals from 10 events on the track.

He was admitted to St James Hospital in Leeds with failing health on Wednesday and operated on the same day.

Grace wrote on Twitter on Friday: "On Wed night I had lifesaving surgery, receiving a Liver Transplant at St James hospital Leeds. I'm out of ICU (intensive care unit) & rehab has begun already!"

Press Association Sport understands Grace updated colleagues on his condition by email and asked for those who had not already to sign up to the NHS organ donor register.

He expects to be discharged in around two weeks and to return to work part-time in six weeks. All being well, Grace will be back working full-time in 12 weeks.

Grace worked for his native New Zealand and France before moving to Manchester with British Cycling.

Britain won team pursuit gold ahead of New Zealand and France in Rio - and Grace had coached all nine of the riders on the podium.

- AAP