The cycling community reacted with shock and sadness to the news that respected coach Heiko Salzwedel has died at age 64. According to German news reports, Salzwedel died Wednesday in a Berlin hospital.

The German coach had mentored generations of riders, including Bradley Wiggins, Mark Cavendish, and many Australian riders.

Salzwedel has coached in several national federations, including Australia, Switzerland, Denmark, and Russia, but is perhaps best known for his role on the track with British Cycling.

He joined British Cycling in 2002, but left after two years, returned in 2008, and stayed with Manchester until after the London 2012 Olympics. his third term, which began in 2014, lasted until around late 2017, during which he coached the men's team, including Wiggins and won gold in team pursuit at the Rio Games. In addition, he played a key role in Wiggins' successful attempt to break the UCI world hour record in 2015.

On Thursday, several former riders took to social media to pay their respects with messages of condolence.

"Our legendary coach passed away last night. Heiko paved the way for me and many other riders to go to the Olympics and the Tour de France. The many memories of training in Cottbus in East Germany will stay with us forever. Our sincere condolences go out to his family," wrote former Australian rider Pat Jonker.

Fellow Australian Kathy Watt also shared her memories. She worked with Salzwedel at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, winning gold and silver medals. She said, "So sad to hear of the passing of my longtime friend Heiko. Heiko helped me on the track in Barcelona and helped me win the silver medal (even though he interfered with my training for this event! She wrote.

"After Barcelona, Heiko led the National & AIS Road Program from AIS Canberra and continued to help me and many other cyclists with his vast knowledge in cycling. After winning gold in the road race at the Barcelona Olympics, Ross Kelly made the women's road program full time and organized funding to ensure that women cyclists had the support they needed to compete at the international level. Andrew Logan was appointed as the women's road cycling coach and worked with Heiko to design training and race plans for women cyclists, providing them with the support they needed to compete with the best in the world. Heiko became a great friend and intelligent coach and we shared many great times together at AIS, training camps, and competitions around Australia and the world.

"He was very strong in character, had a great sense of humor, and fully supported the athletes he worked with. My condolences go out to his family. He will be missed by many in Australia (as well as the cycling community) and around the world. May he rest in peace."

2016 Team Pursuit Olympic Champion Owain Doull said he was "heartbroken" by the news, explaining that Salzwedel was "one of the first coaches who believed in my potential and for this I will always be grateful."

Meanwhile, former track sprinter Callum Skinner, who has been a harsh critic of British cycling, paid his own tribute. 'I loved the guy, a maverick who didn't necessarily fit (in a good way) into the culture of the BC Box. He embodied one of my favorite quotes, "Never do a job you're not prepared to lose." the most recruited and most fired man at BC (x3). Legend, RIP."

Since 2018, Salzwedel worked for the Brandenburg Cycling Association. He leaves behind a wife and two children.