Dave Brailsford was brought up in Deiniolen and inherited his love for cycling from his father, an Alpine mountain guide. After leaving school he joined his father in France as a competitive cyclist before returning home to study sports science and gain an MBA at Sheffield Business School.
Then, combining his love for cycling and his business expertise, he joined British Cycling, first an advisor and then programme director. His part in leading the cycling team to success in the 2004 Athens Olympics gained him an MBE.
In 2005, Dave was made performance director of British Cycling and was instrumental in preparing the cyclists for the successes of 2008. He found funding for backroom staff, including physiotherapists, coaches and a sports psychologist to bring out the best in the competitors.
The road and track team won half of the 18 gold medals available at the World Championships, before moving on to Beijing.
Seven of the ten golds available at the Laoshan Velodrome in China were won by members of his team, including three golds for BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards winner for 2008, Chris Hoy.
Dave himself won coach of the year in the same awards, as well as heading the British cycling squad as they won team of the year.
David was also awarded the CBE in the 2008 New Year's Honours List.
Dave lives with his partner Lisa and their young daughter in Derby.
The man who led the British cycling team to great success in the Beijing Olympics and was named coach of the year in the BBC Sports Personality Awards 2008.
