As preparations for the 2016 Rio Games heat up, British Cycling has announced a raft of changes following an internal review with Sir Dave Brailsford stepping down as Performance Director.
The changes are designed to ensure the Great Britain Cycling Team is in the best possible shape to maximise its contribution to Team GB’s medal aspirations for Rio 2016.
And while Brailsford will continue to be available to British Cycling to offer help, advice and support, he has stepped down in order to concentrate full-time on his role as Team Principal at Team Sky.
Shane Sutton has been appointed Technical Director with responsibility for rider performance, while Andy Harrison will continue as Programmes Director with responsibility for the running of the Great Britain Cycling Team’s development programmes. Both will report to British Cycling Chief Executive Ian Drake.
A new role of Head of Performance Support will be created to strengthen the senior team and who will work closely with Sutton and Harrison.
Steve Peters will also step down as the team’s psychiatrist, given his commitment to other teams and sports, and will support the development and implementation of a new support system for the team in this area before his departure.
“Firstly, I want to thank Sir Dave Brailsford for his enormous contribution to British Cycling – the organisation he leaves behind is transformed from the one we both joined in 1998,” Drake said.
“In that time the Great Britain Cycling Team has not only set the standard by which British sporting success is judged but also inspired millions of people to get active through cycling.
“I also want to thank Steve Peters for his contribution to our medal success over the years – his support for athletes and the team has been groundbreaking and the foundations he has put in place will continue to shape the programme and its culture in the future.
“Both Sir Dave and Steve took leading roles in the review and recognised the systems that they have helped put in place mean they can both step away from the team, certain it will be in good hands.
“The changes we are announcing today are in response to a simple question which has guided the team since lottery funding was introduced – what will give us the best chance of winning gold medals?
“In Shane and Andy, I’m confident we have the right management team to take us into Rio and beyond. The sport of cycling in this country has travelled a long way in the last few years but the best is yet to come.”
© Sportsbeat 2014