Thursday 25 August 2016 12:32, UK
Ed Clancy says Shane Sutton was a “big part” of Britain’s success on the track at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and wouldn’t be surprised or unhappy if he returned to British Cycling.
Sutton resigned as technical director in April after allegations of sexism, bullying and discriminatory behaviour prompted an independent review of his conduct and the organisation's culture.
The review is scheduled to conclude after next month's Paralympic Games and Sutton has already said he is confident of being cleared, while Sir Bradley Wiggins revealed the 59-year-old Australian is keen to get his job back.
Sutton missed the last three months of build-up to the Olympics and then the Games themselves, but after Britain topped the track cycling medals table with six golds, four silvers and one bronze, Clancy believes he deserves credit irrespective of the review's findings.
He told Sky Sports: "I know he wasn't around for the last three months, but Shane was a big part of that success. Love him or hate him, Shane was a big part of what happened in Rio.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he came back. Obviously, this is quite a sensitive subject that splits opinions.
"It's worth saying that the allegations are serious and they absolutely have to be looked into, and they are being looked into.
"I have had my ups and downs with Shane, as have most of the riders and staff on the programme. I can see the pros and cons of Shane, but I wouldn't be unhappy if he came back."
Clancy's participation in the 2016 Games was thrown into doubt last September when he suffered a prolapsed disc and had to undergo surgery three months later.
The injury left him unable to walk properly and prompted him to fear his career was over, but Clancy revealed Sutton was instrumental in keeping him on course for Rio.
He added: "I can only speak as I have found Shane - and this is something I haven't really spoken about before; I have always avoided it - but after my back surgery, it was pretty late in the programme to be still trying to make the Olympic team. Eight months sounds like a long time, but it's really not.
"Shane was great for me at that point. He gave me all the time to do what I wanted, he reassured me that things would be all right, and he threw all the resources and everything the programme had to get me back to the Olympics, and I haven't forgotten that. I have got a lot to thank Shane for."
Ed Clancy is racing back on the track in the UK at Revolution in Manchester on September 17. Tickets are available now: www.cyclingrevolution.com
