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Brailsford quits British Cycling role

Sir Dave Brailsford helped guide Laura Trott to women's omnium gold at London 2012 © Getty Images

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Sir Dave Brailsford has quit as British Cycling performance director after 11 years in the role.

Brailsford, who helped lead Great Britain to success at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, is understood to have stepped down in order to focus on his Team Sky duties, where he holds a similar position.

The 50-year-old has overseen Tour de France victories for Sir Bradley Wiggins in 2012 and Chris Froome a year later.

Like Wiggins, Brailsford was knighted last February, after a standout year for British cycling in 2012. Wiggins won his seventh Olympic medal, four of which are gold, in the time trial days after becoming the first Briton to win the Tour.

Sir Chris Hoy also became Britain's most successful Olympian ever after winning his sixth gold medal at London 2012.

Britain won 12 medals overall in the cycling at London 2012, and 14 at Beijing four year earlier, with eight golds at both Games.

Brailsford's departure had been widely expected after he said in February that he would review his dual role following the Track Cycling World Championships, which he didn't attend.

Britain's five medals at the event - only two of them gold - was their lowest return since 2006, with the men failing to win a medal for the first time.

Shane Sutton has been appointed technical director of British Cycling. with Andy Harrison continuing as programmes director

Brailsford said: "This is a big step but it is the right decision for the team and for me.

"Since London 2012, we have worked hard on succession planning and that has meant we've got to a point where I can move on, knowing the team will go from strength to strength.

"I'll still be available to [chief executive] Ian [Drake], Shane and Andy for support if they need it and my role at Team Sky will mean we'll still work closely and support the aims of British Cycling.

"I'd like to thank all the great staff who I've worked with and of course the amazing athletes who ultimately deserve all the credit for their success.

"I have some extraordinary memories - not just from Olympic Games and World Championships but also just day to day seeing cycling go from a fringe activity to a mainstream sport.

"I've always said that, more than any of the medals, the transformation of cycling in Britain is the single thing I'm most proud of having helped achieve."

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