Dave Brailsford

published 7 May 2021

Sir David Brailsford is team principal of British WorldTour squad Team Sky, and formerly British Cycling's performance director.

Brailsford has brought elements of his education to the role of cycling team management - he possesses a degree in sports science and a Master of Business Administration. He was also a racing cyclist in his early 20s, before concentrating on his studies.

Aside from his contribution to the resounding success of both the Great Britain and Sky teams, Brailsford is perhaps best known for his theory of 'marginal gains'. By concentrating on making a large number of small changes to improve performance, the net gain is significant.

So far, this system has netted numerous Olympic gold medals and three Tour de France victories (Bradley Wiggins in 2012, Chris Froome in 2013 and 2015) for the cyclists under Brailsford's management.

Brailsford was knighted in 2013 in recognition for his services to cycling, specifically after the 2012 London Olympic Games where British cyclists dominated the event with eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals.

Brailsford gave up his role as BC performance director in 2014 to focus solely on his role within Team Sky.

Team shot of the Ineos 2025 Tour de France building, the riders standing outside of a large building

'Where once we were at the top of the heap, we’re not anymore' – Can Ineos Grenadiers survive another Tour de France flop?

Once the dominant force in Grand Tour racing, Ineos Grenadiers now look lost in the era of Pogačar and Vingegaard. What went wrong, and can they ever pull it back?

4 Comments

'Not so secret weapon' Dave Brailsford welcomed back to Ineos Grenadiers 'with open arms' for Tour de France

Former team principal will be present at race as Ineos attempt to return to past glories

By Adam Becket Published 2 July 25

3 Comments
Would Dave Brailsford returning to Ineos Grenadiers be a good idea?

Reportedly on his way out of Manchester United back to a wider role at Ineos Sport, the old Team Sky boss might be back in the world of cycling

By Tom Thewlis Published 5 June 25

7 Comments

‘We're now the hunter, not the hunted’ - New Ineos Grenadiers CEO commits to reclaiming top spot amongst WorldTour elite

John Allert outlines team’s targets and ambitions for 2024, including regaining Grand Tour dominance of old

By Tom Thewlis Published 23 January 24
Dave Brailsford steps back from Ineos Grenadiers team principal role

The 59-year-old, who led Sky and Ineos to seven Tours de France, is set to join Manchester United's board

By Adam Becket Published 21 January 24
Dave Brailsford is living in a caravan in Nice as he tries to rescue his football experiment

Ineos Grenadiers team principal is trying to replicate his marginal gains philosophy in football as well as restructuring the entire club

By Chris Marshall-Bell Published 12 October 22

Sir Dave Brailsford appointed Ineos director of sport

Brailsford will continue as Ineos Grenadiers team principal alongside new overarching role

By Adam Becket Published 17 December 21
Sir Dave Brailsford responds to rumours that Egan Bernal wants to leave Ineos Grenadiers

Amidst speculation that Bernal was not getting on with his team-mates and could depart, the Ineos boss has shared his thoughts

By Alex Ballinger Published 23 September 21
Sir Dave Brailsford to leave Ineos Grenadiers as Rod Ellingworth to take over team, according to report

Could there be a shake-up at the British WorldTour squad?

By Alex Ballinger Published 21 September 21

Sir Dave Brailsford says Ineos planned to attack from the first gravel sector at Giro d’Italia 2021

‘The goal was Filippo goes into the first section first and just puts the hammer down’

By Alex Ballinger Published 19 May 21
Has anyone heard from Dave Brailsford?

Brailsford's long-time team doctor, Richard Freeman, has been found guilty of ordering testosterone, but the boss remains silent

By Jonny Long Published 16 March 21
'Until this is cleared up all those involved shouldn't be near the sport': MP calls for Ineos to suspend Dave Brailsford

The former shadow sports minister, Clive Efford, has called for a full investigation and that the Ineos boss has questions to answer

By Jonny Long Published 12 March 21

Sir Dave Brailsford announces Ineos Grenadiers leadership for Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España

Sir Dave Brailsford has announced his team’s leadership for the 2021 editions of the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.

By Alex Ballinger Published 4 February 21
Sir Dave Brailsford: 'We continued to work with our heads down, we didn’t notice other teams were overtaking us’

Sir Dave Brailsford Ineos Grenadiers “continued to work with their heads down, but didn’t notice other teams were overtaking them,” as the British squad looks to reinvent itself in 2021.

By Alex Ballinger Published 8 October 20
Dave Brailsford: Relationship with Chris Froome 'as good as ever'

The Ineos boss goes all-in with Egan Bernal as Ineos challenge for an eighth yellow jersey in nine years

By Jonny Long Published 27 August 20

Sir Dave Brailsford says cycling needs a better business model after coronavirus crisis

Sir Dave Brailsford has said cycling needs a better business model, as the coronavirus crisis continues to cause upheaval and uncertainty in the sport.

By Alex Ballinger Published 22 April 20
Holding Tour de France in 2020 could cause 'substantial public health concerns,' says expert

Holding the Tour de France would lead to “substantial public health concerns,” according to a health expert.

By Alex Ballinger Published 21 April 20
13 pro riders you should follow on Strava

Strava gives a great insight into the effort needed to compete in the Tour de France, and we've rounded up a few of the riders who you should follow.

By Richard Windsor Published 29 January 20

Dave Brailsford says ‘no one should underestimate Chris Froome’

Sir Dave Brailsford has said “no-one should underestimate Chris Froome” as the four-time Tour de France winner is still fighting back from a career-threatening injury.

By Alex Ballinger Published 7 January 20
Team Sky could have new sponsorship deal before Giro d’Italia, according to sports director

Team Sky will have a new sponsorship deal almost complete by the start of Giro d’Italia, according to sports director Matteo Tosatto.

By Alex Ballinger Published 1 March 19
Team Sky Colombia sponsorship deal 'very unlikely', says Dave Brailsford

The Team Sky boss had meetings with potential sponsors in Colombia this week

By Gregor Brown Published 18 February 19

Team Sky skinsuit controversy 'quite funny' says team boss Dave Brailsford

The British team were the subject of complaints from rivals over what they deemed to be an unfair advantage with Sky using 'vortex air pellets' in their new Castelli skinsuits

By Gregor Brown Published 3 July 17
Dave Brailsford says he's not thinking about quitting Team Sky

"My thoughts are about what's good for the team and what's right" says Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford

By Gregor Brown Published 10 March 17
'Clear leaders' make Team Sky squad stronger for the Classics, says Dave Brailsford

The Sky team principal says that there is less confusion about each team member's role for the Spring Classics, making the squad stronger as a whole

By Gregor Brown Published 30 March 16

Riders and teams react to Tour de France 2016 route announcement

The reaction to the 2016 Tour de France route seems to be generally positive, with something in it for climbers, sprinters and time triallers

By Stuart Clarke Published 20 October 15
Oleg Tinkov: 'I trust Brailsford and Wiggins'

Owner of Team Tinkoff, Oleg Tinkov, adds his voice to the furore surrounding Bradley Wiggins' TUE for triamcinolone

By Nigel Wynn Published 27 September 16
David Brailsford resigns from British Cycling post

Head of performance replacement not named in internal review

By Sophie Smith Published 11 April 14

Chris Froome’s exit from the Tour de France “devastating”

Team Sky boss speaks after defending champion Chris Froome crashes out of stage five and abandons the race

By Cycling Weekly Published 9 July 14
Brailsford targets Grand Tour domination for Team Sky in 2016

Sir Dave Brailsford sets Team Sky the target of winning all three Grand Tours in 2016, as well as winning a Monument

By Stuart Clarke Published 29 September 15
Riders crash on tricky corner on Tour de France time trial (videos)

Some riders are finding one corner pretty difficult on the stage 18 time trial at the Tour de France. Plus, read on for this week's video round-up

By Jack Elton-Walters Published 21 July 16

1 2 3 4