Dave Brailsford determined cycling builds on success of London 2012 Olympics

 

Matt McGeehan
Monday 13 August 2012 07:22 EDT
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The mane event: Laura Trott
The mane event: Laura Trott (AFP)

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Dave Brailsford is determined the London 2012 Olympic Games mark the start of something, rather than the end, despite being poised to relinquish his role as British Cycling performance director.

Brailsford intends to hold talks with British Cycling chief executive Ian Drake in order to consider how to develop the organisation for continued success in the lead up to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games in 2016 and beyond.

Brailsford told Press Association Sport: "We've set ourselves a platform now to push on and build on.

"This could be the start of something, rather than the end of something."

Brailsford is set to continue to play a key role, but anticipates a structural change is required due to the increased size and successes of British Cycling.

The 48-year-old has been doing the job of two committed people over the last four years, doubling up his role as British Cycling performance director - overseeing road, track, BMX and mountain bike disciplines - alongside that of principal of Team Sky, the road team which launched in January 2010.

Prior to the Track Cycling World Championships in Melbourne in April, Brailsford suggested he was prepared to relinquish his role as performance director and hold a consultancy role with the national governing body while focusing more of his attention on Team Sky.

After a summer of yellow and gold - winning the Tour de France with Bradley Wiggins and eight Olympic titles - Brailsford is now ready to review his position.

Brailsford added: "We will figure out a structure that we believe can take the sport forward and give us the best possible chances of success in Rio and we'll implement that structure. I'm pretty sure I'll be part of it.

"It's a well-established business, cycling, and there are people who work on a day-to-day basis with riders who do an amazing job and will continue to do an amazing job.

"It's not the same as a start-up project. It's a mature model. The key thing is you keep challenging and developing it.

"The job I've done has been so broad, across a variety of sports now within British Cycling. It doesn't necessarily need the same type of management as before, but I'd very much like to stay involved."

Brailsford has been approached by many organisations keen to take advantage of his enthusiasm and experience of delivering continual success.

"I'm always interested to look at things; I like new ideas and bold ideas," he added.

"But my central focus will remain with cycling. How do we build off the back of this for Rio?

"We've won the Tour de France once with Team Sky, a very young team, how do we continue to build that?

"And, in the meantime, what else can we do that's exciting and challenging and good for the sport of cycling."

PA

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