Dave Brailsford

The British cycling coach Dave Brailsford, formerly the performance director of British Cycling is well-known as the driving force behind the team who stormed both the Beijing 2008 and the London 2012 Olympics winning a phenomenal eight gold medals.

Having been involved in cycling throughout his career, prior to his role as one of the UK’s top cycling coaches, Brailsford was himself a professional cyclist before studying sports science and psychology and for an MBA.

Having also worked for the Yorkshire based bike company PlanetX, Brailsford took on an advisory role at British Cycling in 1997 before becoming Director in 2003. Widely credited for championing a philosophy of ‘marginal gains’ at British Cycling, Brailsford’s Olympics success working with the team GB saw him crowned BBC Sports Personality Coach of the Year in 2008. Brailsford has also led the team to victory at other multiple championships, including BMX and mountain bike racing. Following his success, Brailsford became the manager of the now Team Ineos in 2010 where he coached cycling stars Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas to multiple Tour de France victories.

Among the 14 medals won by British Cycling at the 2008 Summer Olympics, Brailsford was appointed an MBE in 2005. He later went onto to receive a CBE in 2009 before being knighted for contribution to cycling in 2013. Brailsford was also honoured with The Freedom of the Borough in 2012 for Erewash in Derbyshire. An inspiring motivational speaker, Brailsford has been awarded an honorary doctorate by his formed place of study, the University of Chester.