Scott Sunderland overcame some serious injuries and setbacks to enjoy a long and successful career as a rider with some of the world's leading teams. But as a sports director with CSC, arguably the best team in the world for a number of years, he has enjoyed even more success, leading his riders to consecutive wins in the Queen of the Classics, Paris-Roubaix.
As with all the Australian riders it was a major move for Sunderland to come to Europe to pursue his dream of riding as a professional. But like so many other Australians, he was committed, disciplined - and tough. A measure of how much he wanted to pursue that dream can be gleaned from what he did to raise the money for his move to Europe - he worked double shifts in the local abattoir.
Now with Team Sky, Sunderland is the Senior Sports Director. For a full year before the launch of the team, he worked with Dave Brailsford and his team to identify and then recruit the riders who would make up the squad.
Having thought long and hard about the different talents and personalities that might make up a successful team, Sunderland is confident that Team Sky has the right blend. For him it is all about the team. "You could have a whole team of horses," he says, meaning strong individuals. "But if they don't work together, they'll pull that cart apart."
"To help set up a team from scratch was a great opportunity," says Sunderland. "The core of the team is British, but there was a need to complement the team with international riders. My job was to help identify them and report back. Everything was done as a group. It was a step-by-step process, and not a quick one, but we were lucky that we had time - a whole year.
"It's about getting to know riders, and allowing them to get to know the team and its philosophy. Having 12 months prior to 'kick off' has given us time to think about how we can do certain things in a different way. It's going to be exciting."
Talking about the role in more detail, Sunderland explains: "Being Senior Sports Director with Sky Pro Cycling to me means that I am dedicated to combine the Senior Management's and Sponsor's long-term vision with the practical day-to-day management of the cycling team, in preparation for and during competition.
"It's really about finding the delicate balance, making the synthesis between short-term and long-term expectations.
"I am to analyse and interpret the data the other staff members provide me with. It's then a matter of formulating the planning and discuss this with the appropriate people in the Senior Management.
"Sometimes it means being tough, making hard decisions.
"My experience in professional road cycling however has taught me not to project a vision onto the group without keeping the operational and human well-functioning of the team in constant consideration. Making sure that everyone feels good in their skin is a priority. Cycling is in my blood, it's been my life for as long as I remember and I am passionate about Team Sky, I am proud to be part of this project and to direct this fantastic group of riders."
