Julian Winn will begin coaching Wales full time in September

Winn, 32, will lead the Wales team in competition for the last time at the Tour of Britain in early September.

He will then take up his coaching role full time to concentrate on taking the Wales team through to the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me to use my experience and knowledge to coach Welsh cyclists," Winn said.

"We have a number of extremely talented athletes coming through the ranks and I intend to ensure that they are given every opportunity to succeed with their goals - starting with the Commonwealth Games."

Winn is the fifth national coach in three years following the departure of Andy Reid earlier this month.

The appointment of the former British Road Race champion - who as a professional rider with the Fakta team completed the Giro d�Italia in 2003 - will bring some much-needed stability.

Winn will be supported in his efforts by coaches at British Cycling, who have also given their support to his appointment.

"With so many Welsh cyclists breaking through into British squads, I shall be liaising extremely closely with their coaches to ensure we are all working in the same direction," Winn added.