Wenzel to help road cyclist team
NST, 2/2/2008

IT will be under unclear circumstances that renowned Danish coach Rene Wenzel begins working with the national road cycling team today.

The former US national coach, who arrived yesterday from Oregon, United States, said he is keeping an open mind about what his exact duties will be.

The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF), in dire need of proper guidance for its road programme, called in Wenzel to look into the national team's preparations for Le Tour de Langkawi (LTd), which begins next Saturday.

"I will be meeting the national team tomorrow (today) and discuss with the federation on a plan for a brighter future, but as of now, I cannot say what to expect," said Wenzel,

Wenzel, 48, is not new to Malaysia, having been the director of the Saturn Pro Cycling team that enjoyed several successful campaigns in the LTdL over the past decade.

Wenzel, who is in charge of an International Cycling Union (UCI) development programme for Third World nations, will only decide whether to have a full-time tenure with MNCF once he has a clearer picture.

"I am sure I did not come all the way to Malaysia for nothing. But exactly what we can do, I have to first have a look and make some recommendations to the federation after I've seen everything," he said.

MNCF has been courting Wenzel to fill the post of technical director for its road programme, but it all depends on the discussions over the next five days.

Apparently, Wenzel was called to Malaysia urgently by the MNCF to look into the road squad's preparations for the LTdL, but clearly with only seven days before the race, he can't do much.

"I would love to stay for LTdL, but right now, I think it is best to first meet everybody, discuss on what we can work on for the future and then see what happens," said Wenzel.

<< BACK