How Sir Dave Brailsford transformed British Cycling after damning Manchester United audit

Ineos sporting director Sir Dave Brailsford has concluded that Manchester United’s Carrington training complex is unfit for purpose for such an elite club and is recommending relocation.

The 60-year-old has been reviewing all sporting departments within the club amid several boardroom changes as he helps with Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s overhaul, having done the same at OGC Nice in 2022.

Brailsford is best known by the wider public as the man who transformed British Cycling under his ‘marginal gains’ thesis. His mantra stated that by improving every aspect of an entity by just one per cent, massive changes can be garnered when married together.

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In the 100 years before the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Britain had won just one gold medal at the Games in cycling disciplines. The nation's efforts were so poor that one manufacturer refused to sell bikes to the team out of fear they would damage its business reputation.

Brailsford was appointed as British Cycling chief in 2003 and went about making minor but hugely significant changes. Every stone was turned. Better seats, electric overshorts to maintain temperature, new aerodynamic suits and alcohol-rubbed tyres for grip were all implemented.

As James Clear wrote in his book ‘Atomic Habits’: “They tested different types of massage gels to see which one led to the fastest muscle recovery. They hired a surgeon to teach each rider the best way to wash their hands to reduce the chances of catching a cold.

“They determined the type of pillow and mattress that led to the best night’s sleep for each rider. They even painted the inside of the