Cycling: Vertongen steps downs as track coach

Cycling stalwart Max Vertongen is standing down as director of coaching for the national track team.

Vertongen said he could not afford to continue his cycling job and look after his expanding Palmerston North real estate business at the same time.

He had been thinking about quiting after last year's Commonwealth Games in Manchester when he saw difficulties managing both jobs.

"But I decided to take the team through to this year's world championships [in Germany]," he said.

"On my return I realised that I need to focus on the continuing expansion of my real estate business and to do this I need to spend more time in New Zealand."

It was one of the more difficult decisions he had had to make.

"The programme for cycling has become more and more intensive and we are now faced with a year-round schedule which includes world championships, Commonwealth Games and Olympics and it's a really hard shot to call as to when is the right time to step down.

"But I feel that if I step down now the team is well on the way to the Olympics and it will give my replacement a chance to cement the team before Athens."

Bike New Zealand chief executive Rodger Thompson said Vertongen was a huge contributor to cycling. "He first took on a coaching role with Cycling New Zealand in 1976."

Vertongen's son Lee announced his retirement from international competition just before the world champs this year.

- NZPA