Andy Schleck is back in professional cycling. The 2010 Tour de France winner will be part of the management team at the future German-licensed racing team Lidl-Trek
"It's a great challenge," says Andy Schleck according to a press release from the Lidl Trek team. The successful former professional from Luxembourg will work as "Deputy Manager" in the management of the racing team, which will compete under the German flag in 2026. As deputy team manager, the 40-year-old Schleck will be responsible for both the sporting and commercial aspects of the racing team. According to the press release, his focus will be on steering the team's ambitions in the major stage races, looking after the classification riders and supporting the long-term development of the ambitious team. Schleck himself rode as a professional cyclist for the predecessor organisation of the current racing team, which is currently headed by the Italian Luca Guercilena. "The team has a great history. I rode here when Luca was the sporting director before he became general manager. We can't promise victories or results, but we can promise that we will work professionally every day," says Schleck on the occasion of his arrival.
"Apart from his sporting achievements, Andy brings a comprehensive view of the business aspects of cycling. He has developed teams and events," says team boss Guercilena. Schleck is the official winner of the 2020 Tour de France, a title he was awarded after Alberto Contador was removed from the list of winners due to a doping finding. The Luxembourger ended his career as a racing cyclist in 2014 due to persistent knee problems. After his retirement, Schleck opened bike shops, managed a women's team and was president of the Tour of Luxembourg organisation. Andy's brother Fränk, who is five years older, is also part of the racing team structure. He works as sporting director for the women's team.
Great ambitions with Juan Ayuso
Team Lidl-Trek wants to become the best cycling team in the world in the future. For the new season, they have signed the promising tour specialist Juan Ayuso from Spain, who was previously under contract with Tadej Pogacar's UAE Team Emirates. Among the top performers are top sprinter Jonathan Milan (Italy), former world champion Mads Pedersen (Denmark), Amstel Gold Race winner Mattias Skjelmose (Denmark) and Italian climber Giulio Ciccone. Three German professional cyclists are also under contract for the coming season: Tour stage winner Lennard Kämna as well as Max Walscheid and Tim Torn Teutenberg.
Andreas Kublik
Editor
