Cycling: New coach keen to see Ulmer back riding

Sarah Ulmer. Herald file picture

Terry Gyde's interest in seeing Sarah Ulmer return to the track has just increased.

The Christchurch cycling coach has, like most of the country, been waiting to learn if the Olympic and world champion would be getting back on her bike.

Now he is even keener to see her back on the track after yesterday being named by BikeNZ as the new track coach.

Gyde will coach the national team through to the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 where Ulmer could possibly defend the title she won in Athens last year.

"I'd love to have her back in there but I'm not that confident, to tell you the truth," Gyde said.

"She's still making up her mind and she's got a few business decisions on the table.

"I'm hoping very shortly, one way or the other, she'll make that decision."

Gyde is, however, encouraged about New Zealand's track cycling future, with or without Ulmer.

Results from last month's world championships in Los Angeles have him excited about next year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

"Across the board we got top six in the world and it shows we've got depth and you don't have to become reliant on a Sarah Ulmer or Greg Henderson for those achievements."

But taking the step from a minor placing to the world podium was now Gyde's goal for the team.

"It is the most difficult step but that's what we're aiming for," he said.

"I've got to put the systems in place, develop strength and utilise the sports science programmes a lot better than what we've done in the past."

Gyde, who is personal coach to former world champion Greg Henderson and Christchurch Olympian Hayden Godfrey, has been coaching for more than 15 years -- including a stint as national track coach in 1995.

But he was dumped from the position leading into the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

He took a major step back when applying for the Prime Minister's scholarship in 2003 and assisting Canadian Kurt Innes at last year's world championships and preparation for the Olympics.

His new contract with BikeNZ was "rubber-stamped" yesterday and allows Gyde to remove the caretaker tag he has worn since December last year when he took the national team to the Los Angeles leg of the World Cup series.

He takes over the fulltime role from Innes who led the team to last year's Olympics in Athens.

"When you look at something like the teams pursuit team which got fourth at the world champs, it's a really young team and there's so much development work we can do with these guys," he said.

"Coming in as coach, I'm rubbing my hands with glee.

"If we've got people challenging for positions instead of it just being a gimme, it's certainly going to raise the level."

He said the decision to apply for the job had been made easier with BikeNZ requiring a long-term commitment from its new coach.

"If everything goes good in Beijing I'd like to think I've got the opportunity of perhaps 2012.

"But we'll cross that bridge when it comes."

Gyde said it was difficult to leave his other job as a fireman with the New Zealand Fire Service.

"Until a week before I said 'yes I'll accept the job', I had no intention of leaving (the fire service)," he said.

"It's been one of the most difficult things going to an employer that's been so loyal.

"The support has been sensational right from the fire chief to the guys on the floor.

"It's been a big part of my life."

- NZPA