Scott Sunderland leaves Team Sky

5 comments
By AFP | Saturday, May 22, 2010 5.48pm

Australian Scott Sunderland has left his post as senior sports director with Team Sky after reaching a mutual agreement, the British cycling team announced on Saturday.

Sunderland, a former Australian national champion who worked with the CSC then Saxo Bank teams after retiring, was one of the first sports directors to join up with Team Sky and helped sign many of their riders.

A year after his son Tristan was diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening disease that requires constant monitoring, Sunderland said it was time to take a break and spend time with his Belgian-based family.

"... the wellbeing of our family and in particular the health of our youngest son Tristan asks for me to increase the time and attention I give to my loved ones," Sunderland said in a statement.

"Our oldest son Saen has wholeheartedly welcomed this initiative. Time has come for him to fully enjoy his teenage years."

Dave Brailsford, the Team Principal for Team Sky, said: "We would like to thank Scott for his contribution to Team Sky.

"He helped us get from the drawing board to being a real road team, working with us from the announcement of the project to our first podium finishes. We all wish Scott the very best, personally and for his future career."

Sunderland added: "It has been an incredible journey, helping to set up a new, highly professional team from scratch.

"I'm proud of the team's achievements so far and wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season, their first Tour de France and a successful future."

Sunderland, who in his career worked as a loyal 'domestique' for stars like Stephen Rooks, Dimitri Konychev, Robert Millar and Chris Boardman, said it did not mean he was leaving the sport for good.

"The fact that I am taking a step away from my responsibilities as senior sports director for Team Sky does not mean that I will take distance from cycling; this sport has been and will always be an integral part of my life."

Britain's Bradley Wiggins will spearhead Team Sky's bid for glory on the 2010 Tour de France, on which he finished fourth overall last year.

© AFP 2010

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User Comments

There are 5 comments on this post

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  • I don't know how you limeys do things, but for us yanks, resigning to "spend more time with family" means that someone was given time to jump before getting pushed into redundancy. I can't think of too many other reasons for quite a public separation over such a personal matter.

  • Champs

    I can't believe that you are questioning his motives for leaving

    The guys child has a life threatening illness, isn't that enough reason to leave a job?

    I struggle to believe that anyone should look any further then the reason given

    Sky has a massive following here in the UK so a public annoucement is unusual

    Have a heart

  • Champs- you mention "a public separation over such a personal matter." Sunderland has been extremely influential in the creation of team Sky. Coupled with the fact that Sky is a media company, it is hardly surprising that the announcement is public. After all, we hear all the time about sports directors from other sports quitting for various reasons, why should be any different in cycling?

    Its a very cynical view you have considering it is not backed by evidence.

  • You misunderstand me. If there is any heart to be lacking, it is Sky's. What is so wrong with granting him an indefinite leave of absence while he tends to family matters?

  • Champs,

    Sorry if i have misunderstood you

    The professional thing to do is have a clear and dissisive break which is the best thing for him and the team so eveyone knows where they stand, team riders alike so he can concentrate on family matters and that team Sky can also move forward

    The most imortant thing is that we all wish Scott and his family the very best at an obviously dificult time

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