Brailsford hits back at critics as Sky becomes Team INEOS

Cycling - The 104th Tour de France cycling race - The 178-km Stage 10 from Perigueux to Bergerac, France - July 11, 2017 - Team Sky manager Dave Brailsford before the start. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

LINTON, Yorkshire (Reuters) - Dave Brailsford is accustomed to answering awkward questions and the man who masterminded Britain's rise as a cycling powerhouse was at it again as Team Sky transformed into Team INEOS on Wednesday.

When broadcaster Sky announced last year it was pulling out of funding Brailsford's brainchild after a decade in which his British team won six Tour de France triumphs, it appeared the days of Grand Tour domination were numbered.