Dave Brailsford has formally returned to the hierarchy of the cycling team now known as Netcompany-Ineos, taking on the role of Team Principal and Director of Sport for Ineos.
Confirmation of the news came the same day news broke of the team’s CEO John Allert’s departure, although it is understood that he formally left his role before the men’s Giro d’Italia started last month.
Brailsford previously served as team principal during the team’s heyday as Team Sky, when it won six editions of the Tour de France in seven years. Following the team’s takeover by petrochemical giant Ineos, becoming known as INEOS Grenadiers, Brailsford was appointed Director of Sport at Ineos, a role that also saw him take responsibility over the Ineos sailing team and the multiple football clubs owned by the company’s founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
To balance the workload, Ineos Grenadiers director Rod Ellingworth was appointed to senior management positions within the cycling team, following a brief spell at Bahrain-Victorious. However, the period coincided with a decline in fortunes, as the team was unable to match the scale or rate of race wins it once achieved. Brailsford’s abstract role within the team’s hierarchy was also held responsible for the team’s slowness when determining race and transfer strategy. Ellingworth subsequently left the company and worked as race director of the men’s and women’s Tour of Britain before returning to Bahrain-Victorious as Performance Manager.
In 2023, John Allert was appointed as CEO, and acted as de facto team manager after Ratcliffe purchased a minority stake in Manchester United and took charge of football operations. Brailsford was subsequently appointed to the football club’s Board of Directors the following year, where he formally served until last month, though he was reported to have stepped away from the club several months beforehand. Allert meanwhile oversaw the team’s worst-performing year in terms of wins in 2024. He also oversaw the acrimonious departure of Tom Pidcock from the team, when the Brit had three years remaining on his contract.
Now, confirmation of the Australian’s departure clarifies the team’s hierarchy. As Team Principal, Brailsford will be immediately supported on the racing side by Performance Director Scott Drawer, Director of Performance Operations Carsten Jeppesen and Head of Racing Geraint Thomas, following his retirement as a rider at the end of last year. Thomas’ role was first mooted this time last year whilst the Welshman was preparing for his final Tour de France and when Brailsford focused his attentions primarily on the cycling team. Confirmation of Thomas’ role and responsibilities did not arrive until the end of November.
Whilst the nebulous responsibilities of the Ineos Director of Sport role leave open the possibility of Brailsford remaining involved in other sports within Ratcliffe’s portfolio, he has already been seen at several races this year, serving as a more hands-on presence than when Ellingworth was his deputy.
Brailsford’s presence at races has also not changed his attitude towards the media, having not given an interview since the team’s head carer, David Rozman, was sent home from the Tour de France following the revelation of his connections to the convicted doping doctor Mark Schmidt. At the time of writing, Rozman remains listed as Head Carer on the team website, whilst Allert has been removed. Brailsford’s profile has yet to appear.
