Bradley Wiggins: Brailsford has been under pressure for a while
"I don't think all was well at the velodrome, there was a lot of sort of sniping and things."
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/THgUGHjPrhuYGUdH93vTTa-415-80.jpg)
Bradley Wiggins, Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana Deià-Lluc 2014
Bradley Wiggins said today that out-going performance director, David Brailsford took the British team from nothing to "the best and most feared" track outfit but that Shane Sutton, he added, can rise to the occasion.
"He's done four Olympic cycles since he's been in charge," Wiggins said ahead of Paris-Roubaix. "The legacy will be that he took us from pretty much a team that was paying for their own travel expenses, bikes and wheels in Atlanta, and not medalling, to the best and most feared track team in the world. He's been at the head of that, and that says it all."
Brailsford resigned from his post two years out from the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Guardian reported the news this morning.
"He told me last Friday, but I've seen it coming for a while because he's been umming and ahhing about it," Wiggins added.
"I don't think all was well at the velodrome, there was a lot of sort of sniping and things. He's obviously been under pressure for a while. One bad result and all of a sudden, it's all Dave's fault even if he's coach of the year in 2012. That's sport, one minute you're on top of it all and the next minute, one bad result and everyone calling for your head.
"From his point of view, he's probably took it as far as he can take it. He's been there for the best part of 15 years now, and it's been incredible what he's done, and now he can focus everything on the team."
Ahead of the official announcement, Wiggins tipped Sutton to slip into Brailsford's role. The hard-nosed Aussie coached the team in the past. Wiggins explained that it would be odd to see Sutton wearing a blazer.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I spoke to Shane the other day but I've never imagined him in a suit with a blazer. Everyone knows him as coach, manager, motivator, so it'd be odd to see him in a blazer and in that political side of things," Wiggins said
“He'll rise to it. He can push himself and he's up for the challenge, but it's certainly not an easy pair of shoes to fill.
"He's always had his ideas on how things should go and he's quite a hard task-master. As I saw the comments after the World Championships, he says it how it is, and a lot of people don't like that. He feels that standards have slipped a little bit and a lot of guys aren't putting in what they could.
"He's certainly a man to make sure the commitment is there and the work ethic is there. He'll be good, different to Dave, but he'll get the right people in that need to do the job."
Twitter: @gregorbrown
David Brailsford resigns from British Cycling post
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
How to watch the Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
Get all the information you need to watch the action of the men's and women's Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
By Cat Glowinski Published
-
Ribble Cycles looking to capitalise on 'big summer of sport' with 30% off highly-rated models
Direct-to-consumer Ribble Cycles has always been rated highly among the Cycling Weekly tech team. This is our pick of the best Road, Gravel and E-bikes from their 'Summer Sale'
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock says Ineos Grenadiers will be 'better' at the Tour de France without Steve Cummings
Netflix series depicted tension between the DS and rider, dynamic sources told Cycling Weekly carries a degree of accuracy
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock 'dreaming' of taking yellow jersey on opening weekend of Tour de France
British rider hopes to play starring role in Italian Grand Départ
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I think I'll get the opportunity to go for a stage' - Geraint Thomas relishing support role at Tour de France
Former yellow jersey winner says this year's race "could be my last"
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Carlos Rodríguez to lead Ineos Grenadiers at Tour de France, supported by Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock
British squad will aim to "race aggressively and disrupt" at the French Grand Tour
By Adam Becket Published
-
21 things you didn't know about Tom Pidcock
According to the man himself, he's never had a hangover. It's alright for some.
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Exclusive: Cycling was a 'great distraction' says Bradley Wiggins as he opens up about trauma and mental health
Tour de France winner says he has found a "happy balance" with cycling in his life
By Amy Sedghi Published
-
Tom Pidcock adds extra mountain bike race to schedule, one week before Tour de France
Pidcock confirms he will race World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland ahead of Olympic title defence
By Tom Thewlis Published