Team Sky has made another key appointment in its coaching set-up from outside the world of professional cycling.
Shaun Stephens, 37, will join Britain’s only WorldTour team as a performance coach, having previously held positions as head coach and programme manager at the Australian Institute of Sport and Triathlon Australia.
Team Sky principal, Dave Brailsford, said: “Shaun’s appointment continues Team Sky’s commitment to assembling the very best coaching and support staff in the world, without being afraid to look beyond the arena of cycling.
“It is incredibly exciting to be bringing fresh expertise into the sport, and further reinforces this team’s desire to break new ground in the field of performance.
“The team has taken tremendous strides since the appointment of Tim Kerrison, who came from swimming, and we hope that with Shaun on board we can maintain our position as the world’s number one cycling team.”
Stephens will work alongside Kerrison, who has shaped Bradley Wiggins’ training programme since 2010.
Team Sky recently parted company with race coach, Bobby Julich, and directeur sportif, Steven De Jongh, after reaffirming its zero tolerance anti-doping policy with an interview process for all staff.
Team members and support staff unable to sign a declaration stating they had never previously been involved with doping face dismissal.
Stephens has previously worked as a sports development manager at the University of Queensland and coached junior and elite athletes for the last four Olympic Games.
He said: “I believe it is Dave Brailsford’s vision of introducing a diversity of skill sets into Team Sky, and ultimately the cycling staff and riders’ embracement of new training and competition strategies, that has given Team Sky a competitive advantage over other teams.
“I look forward to the challenges of understanding the intricacies of a new sport and assisting Team Sky build upon the enormous success they have already achieved.”
