British Cycling loses another staff member - this time to Scottish Cycling

Gary Coltman has been appointed Scottish Cycling's new Head of Performance, having been poached from British Cycling - the second high profile staffer to leave in recent months.

According to Scottish Cycling, Gary "will be responsible for delivering success against their performance ambition to have Scottish riders achieving medals in major competition and creating world class talent development systems here in Scotland."

Scottish Cycling’s Chief Executive, Craig Burn, said: “This is a tremendous appointment for Scottish Cycling. Gary has played a leading role in helping to establish British Cycling as one of the most successful sporting organisations in the World. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, both from his time as a professional rider and team manager, and laterally in his role as the Olympic talent programme manager for British Cycling. 

"Gary has a deep understanding of coaching and performance at all levels and I believe he will offer valuable direction and leadership to our staff and riders, both in the lead up to the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, and also in helping to identify and develop Scotland’s future cycling stars in the years to come.”

Gary said: “I am thrilled to be joining Scottish Cycling at such an exciting time in the development of the sport in Scotland. Cycling is currently going through a period of extraordinary growth in this country and I believe we have the opportunity to harness that popularity and convert it into success for Scotland on the world stage.

“The opening of the national velodrome in Manchester back in 1994 signalled the start of an unprecedented run of success for British cyclists. It has played a major role in the careers of people like Sir Bradley Wiggins and Scotland’s very own Sir Chris Hoy. With Scotland now boasting its own world-class indoor velodrome, not to mention some of the best mountain biking facilities in Europe, I’m excited about the prospects for developing the next generation of Scottish cycling talent.”

The English Rugby Football Union has already snapped up a key member of British Cycling’s backroom staff, sports scientist Matt Parker, to be its head of athletic performance.