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."

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.
-
Mike's Bikes 'mega sale' is live and site wide with discounts over 50%
Running until Sunday all products are discounted including complete bikes, clothing, smart trainers and much more
By Luke Friend
-
Can you be a pro athlete and an environmentalist? Earth Day reflections from a pro cyclist trying to be both
How Sarah Sturm reconciles her life as a pro cyclist with her environmental values
By Sarah Sturm
-
'It can really push me along' - How a velodrome comeback is making Caleb Ewan faster on the road
Australian says he'll "definitely" continue track work after rekindling passion
By Tom Davidson
-
I went to Paris-Roubaix Femmes and was shocked at how it is still treated as secondary to the men’s race
The women’s version of the Hell of the North is five years old, but needs to be put more on equal footing with the men
By Adam Becket
-
Broken hips, hands, and collarbones: Paris-Roubaix's lengthy injury list lays bare brutality of race
"It probably wasn't the best idea to continue," says one of weekend's many wounded riders
By Tom Davidson
-
Professional riders need more protection from mindless 'fans' at major races to avoid another Mathieu van der Poel Paris-Roubaix bottle incident
Cycling's authorities must do everything within their power to prevent spectators from assaulting riders
By Tom Thewlis
-
'I'll take a top 10, that's alright in the end' - Fred Wright finishes best of British at Paris-Roubaix
Bahrain-Victorious rider came back from a mechanical on the Arenberg to place ninth
By Adam Becket
-
'This is the furthest ride I've actually ever done' - Matthew Brennan lights up Paris-Roubaix at 19 years old
The day's youngest rider reflects on 'killer' Monument debut
By Tom Davidson
-
'One of the hardest races I've ever done in my life' - Tadej Pogačar finishes runner-up on Paris-Roubaix debut after crash
World champion reacts to 'extremely hard' battle with Mathieu van der Poel
By Tom Davidson
-
'I thought it would be dark by the time I got here' - Joey Pidcock, the last rider to finish Paris-Roubaix, on his brutal day out
Q36.5 rider finishes outside time limit, but still completes race with lap of the Roubaix Velodrome
By Adam Becket