Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe brings another experienced expert on board with Allan Peiper. The 65-year-old Australian is taking on the position of strategic advisor in the sports sector and is thus returning to professional cycling after taking time out due to cancer. Peiper left UAE Team Emirates at the end of 2021 to focus on his recovery. His new role will involve working closely with Zak Dempster and the team's various performance departments.
Peiper's career as a sports director began in 2005 at Davitamon-Lotto after retiring as a professional in 1992, and his management career has been characterised by stints at T-Mobile, Garmin, BMC and most recently UAE Team Emirates. At UAE Team Emirates, he managed Tadej Pogačar during his first Tour de France victory in 2020, and his appointment joins a growing list of new signings that includes Tony Gallopin, Oliver Cookson and Evenepoel confidants Sven Vanthourenhout and Klaas Lodewyck. "I am very excited to be part of this project. Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe has developed impressively in recent years and I see great potential to strengthen this structure even further," said Peiper on the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe homepage.
Zak Dempster focusses on external perspective
Zak Dempster, the new Chief of Sports at Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, emphasises the importance of Peiper's commitment to the strategic realignment. "Allan brings a unique blend of experience, strategic thinking and humanity," explained Dempster. The Australian has proven in his career that he can mould teams and inspire athletes. His outside perspective is particularly valuable and will enrich the sports department enormously. Peiper will help to translate the team vision into a clear sports strategy and concrete measures. His extensive experience and strategic vision are seen as important building blocks for strengthening the team's sporting philosophy in the long term.
The appointment underlines Red Bull's ambitions for the coming season with Evenepoel as the new figurehead. Peiper not only brings enormous expertise, but also a strong innovative spirit and a real winning mindset. These qualities also characterised him in his personal battle against cancer. "It's about living a clear sporting vision and translating it into performance every day - that's what drives me," says Peiper, describing his motivation.
Bernhard Eisel switches to Lidl - Trek
While Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe is strengthening its ranks with Peiper, the team is also losing Bernhard Eisel. After four years as sports director, the 44-year-old Austrian is leaving the German WorldTour team to join Lidl - Trek in 2026. Eisel's decision is based on a special connection: "The biggest reason for the move to Lidl - Trek was the opportunity to work with Luca Guercilena again," Eisel explained on his new employer's homepage. Guercilena was his first professional coach when he moved to Mapei in 2001. The two have a long history together in professional cycling.
As an active rider, Eisel enjoyed a professional career spanning almost two decades and became one of the most respected riders in the peloton. His notable successes include victory at Gent-Wevelgem, and his expertise as a former sprinter and lead-out specialist makes him particularly valuable to Lidl - Trek. "I was attracted to Lidl - Trek because of what the team has achieved in recent years and the progress it continues to make," said Eisel, explaining his decision.
