‘He was one of the first coaches to believe in my potential’: Heiko Salzwedel, former British Cycling Olympic coach, has died

The former British Cycling coach Heiko Salzwedel has died.

Riders and colleagues who worked with Salzwedel during his three stints with the British Olympic team have paid tribute, including gold medallists Callum Skinner and Owain Doull, as well as performance director Stephen Park. 

German media reports that Salzwedel’s death was confirmed on Thursday (September 30). He was 64 years old and leaves behind a wife and two children.

After beginning his coaching career in Germany in the 1990s, Salzwedel worked as the national coach for Australia, Denmark, Russia, and Switzerland. 

Some of his biggest successes came during his time with British Cycling, where he worked from 2001-2002, 2008-12, and finally from 2014-18. 

After his departure from British Cycling in 2019, Salzwedel worked as a regional trainer for the Brandenburg Cycling Association. 

During his time as the men’s endurance coach for the Great Britain Cycling Team, Salzwedel helped guide the GB team pursuit squad to gold in Rio 2016 with Sir Bradley Wiggins, Ed Clancy, Steven Burke and Owain Doull. 

Doull, who has since gone on to a successful WorldTour career on the road, said: “Heartbroken to hear the news of Heiko’s passing. 

“His loyalty and commitment to ‘his boys’ was a mark of his character. He was one of the first coaches who believed in my potential, and for this I will always be grateful.

“Thoughts are with his friends and family. RIP Heiko.”

But his influence was also felt outside the men’s endurance team, as retired sprinter and gold medallist Callum Skinner said: “It wasn’t just his own boys (endurance). I loved this guy.

“A maverick who didn’t always fit with the British Cycling box culture (in a good way). 

“Embodied one of my favourite quotes: ‘never do a job you aren’t prepared to lose’. 

“The most hired and fired man at BC. Legend, RIP.” 

Stephen Park, the current BC performance director, said: “It has been very sad to hear of the passing of Heiko Salzwedel. 

“He worked [with] and influenced many riders and coaches at GBCT and around the world.

“British Cycling sends our condolences to all who knew him.”