McGee takes on new role

Via Cycling Australia:

Cycling Australia CEO Graham Fredericks today announced Bradley McGee (OAM) as Directeur Sportif for the Elite Men’s Road program. Joining him will be Brian Stephens in the role of European Co-ordinator.

The pair will be responsible for the strategic direction and delivery of the Elite Australian Road teams as they strive for podium performances at the UCI World Championships in Florence this September, together with the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

"Brad’s decorated career as an athlete and more recently his coaching pedigree stamped him as the ideal choice to head up the program,” said Fredericks.  “He will be ably assisted by Brian who has worked closely with numerous Australian athletes over the last 20 years and will play an important mentoring role from his European base.”

Fredericks added; “The selection process was extremely thorough and we are delighted with the appointments. Both coaches have signed no doping declarations in accordance with CA policy and are highly committed advocates of clean cycling at the elite level.” 

One of the country’s most gifted and decorated cyclists, McGee was the first Australian to wear the leader’s jersey at all three grand tours (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España).

His career also netted an Olympic gold medal win in Athens, together with multiple World and Commonwealth Games titles.Post retirement, McGee transitioned into team management with a 4-year stint as a Directeur Sportif for Team Saxo Bank Sungard, before more recently moving back home to take up the position of head coach at NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS).

Caleb Ewan was one of the first to benefit from McGee’s tutelage locally. Ewan’s stellar run of early season form in 2013 saw him selected for the Jayco-AIS World Tour Academy program currently enjoying great success in Europe.

“It’s an honour to be invited to take the helm of the Aussie road team” said McGee. “We are still very well stocked with riders competing on the world stage and the next generation are eager to continue the tradition of punching above our weight results wise.”

McGee added; “Brian’s role will be a critical one to ensure that the younger guys are well equipped to cope with the rigours of European professional bike racing as they continue to learn and develop.”

“I would also like to acknowledge NSWIS for allowing me to integrate this role into my existing coaching commitments that will continue as planned. My current workload has been carefully considered by CA and I’m confident that the net results will benefit riders in both programs.”

From his base in Austria Stephens added; "I’m looking forward to working with Brad and the boys. There is a lot of work ahead of us, but we’re certainly approaching the task ahead with much optimism.”

The scope of work for the Australian Elite Men’s Road group management team includes:

- Ongoing liaison with athletes and their teams to monitor the progress and performances by Australians in UCI World Tour and sub category competitions – and to provide athletes with advice and support as required.

- Working closely with Australian road selectors to drive the selection process for Australian teams for benchmark events (World Titles, Commonwealth and Olympic Games)

- Strategic direction and delivery of Australian elite road teams toward podium performances at benchmark competitions.

Implementation of a professional transition program for Australian neo-professionals going into World Tour Teams, including an athlete mentoring ‘big brother’ program where they will engage selected experienced Australian pro’s to assist young riders in their personal development.

Both roles are effective immediately.

The UCI World Championships will be held in Florence, Italy on September 20-28, 2013.