Jeff Luyten is Belgium’s new national mountain biking coach ​

Belgium’s cycling federation Belgian Cycling has appointed Jeff Luyten as the new national coach in mountain biking on Wednesday. The 32-year-old was a top-level mountain biker himself until 2016 and already gained experience with young talents as a regional coach.

After appointing Serge Pauwels as the new national coach for road cycling and Angelo De Clercq as the new national coach for cyclocross, a last vacancy at the Belgian cycling federation has now been filled. Jeff Luyten is the new national coach for the mountain bikers. He succeeds Filip Meirhaeghe, whose expiring contract was not renewed.

The 32-year-old Luyten has already spent two years as regional coach of the U17 riders in mountain biking for Cycling Flanders. He will continue this half-time position, but will now also lead the national teams from the U19 category up to the elite riders - men and women - at Belgian Cycling.

"I want to build a stable and inspiring route for talents so that they can maximise their potential and ensure the chance of progression to the world top"

“I am very motivated to take up this challenge with Belgian Cycling,” Luyten said in a first reaction. “In the first instance, I want to build a stable and inspiring route for talents so that they can maximise their potential and ensure the chance of progression to the world top. At the same time, my aim is to create an ideal environment for our elite athletes that enables them to excel at the very highest level.”

Luyten was a top-level mountain biker himself until 2016. He amongst others obtained a 23rd and 30th place at the World Championships. In 2013, he became world champion in the military championships, and in 2015 he became vice-Belgian champion.

^{Jeff Luyten at the European Games 2015, in Baku, Azerbaijan © BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND}