June 17, 2013 (Victoria, BC) – Cycling Canada, Cycling BC and Canadian Sport Institute Pacific are pleased to announce the hiring of coach Jeff Ain for the Cycling Talent Development Program (Cycling TDP) based in Victoria. Ain will be starting his role on July 2, but will also be fulfilling his commitments to Cycling BC for the upcoming Canada Summer Games and Canadian Track Cycling Championships to ensure stability within the BC high performance cycling programs.

“Jeff brings his infectious enthusiasm towards cycling development to this new role,” enthused Kurt Innes, Director of Talent Development with the Canadian Sport Institute. “We look forward to Jeff connecting with our athletes across multiple cycling endurance sports (road, track, and mountain), and inspiring them to achieve personal excellence.”

With funding support from Own the Podium and the Province of BC through the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, Ain will be leading the important work of developing the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians in the sport of cycling. He joins the existing team of five Canadian Sport Institute Pacific Talent Development Coaches in the sports of rowing and swimming in Victoria, plus freestyle mogul skiing and luge in Whistler.

“Cycling Canada is happy to have Jeff Ain appointed to the Talent Development Coach position in Victoria,” commented Jacques Landry, High Performance Director at Cycling Canada. “Under the guidance of National Mountain Bike Coach Dan Proulx, Jeff will implement and drive a world-leading program that caters to the development of our future endurance cycling stars.”

“While Cycling BC is sad to see Jeff Ain move on, we are excited for him to take on this new challenge as a Talent Development Coach with the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific, in partnership with Cycling Canada and Cycling BC,” said Richard Wooles, Executive Director of Cycling BC. “Jeff will be missed by all at Cycling BC, but we are looking forward to the great work he will be able to do in his new role.”

Announced this past May, the new Cycling TDP is the result of collaboration between Cycling Canada, Cycling BC and the Canadian Sport Institute Pacific. The partners are taking integration to the next level by developing this program directly in line with Cycling Canada’s High Performance Athlete Development Pathway. The Cycling TDP is committed to supporting the identification and development of Canadian endurance cycling athletes who have the qualities required to be Olympic or Paralympic champions. The athlete selection process will be announced by the end of June, 2013 and will be posted on csipacific.ca.