Sir Dave Brailsford free of blame for sub-par GB, says head coach

British Cycling head coach Shane Sutton says performance director Sir Dave Brailsford is not to blame for the squad's below-par results at the Track Cycling World Championships.

Britain won 12 medals at the 2008 Olympic Games and nine in 2012, but only claimed five in Cali.

"The buck stops with me," said Sutton.

However, ex-Olympic champion Chris Boardman says Brailsford, who is also Team Sky principal, needs to fully commit to leading Great Britain.

"I'm not sure about an overhaul, but it needs a boss," said British 1992 Olympic pursuit champion Boardman. "I believe Dave's making a decision on what he's going to do, but it needs a full-time boss.

"Dave would clearly be the best full-time boss, but if he's not going to do that, it might be better if somebody else comes in and takes the reins.

"He's such a character, if he's still there it's difficult for people to go in and take command, but it needs somebody like him."

Brailsford has been British Cycling performance director since 2003 and has overseen success for Great Britain at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, while during his time as Team Sky principal the 50-year-old has seen both Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome win the Tour de France.

Australian Sutton took charge of the Great Britain team in Minsk last year when they finished top of the World Championships table with nine medals, five of them gold.

"We weren't having this conversation 12 months ago when Dave wasn't here," added Sutton. "For people to start pointing the finger at Dave is unfounded.

"This guy's been the greatest leader in British sporting history. His legacy will go on and on."

Sutton set Britain the target of winning six medals in the 10 Olympic events at the Worlds in Colombia, but they fell short, while the men failed to win anything for the first time since 1998.

"Shane is great, a good second in command, but perhaps not the person to be the big boss," added Boardman.

"British cycling's in a period of change now. We have still got some fantastic ingredients, some great athletes and some great people are working for them.

"The potential is all still there. It just might need somebody to pull it all together."