Evenepoel and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe lose loyal coach mid-season

Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and Remco Evenepoel shocked the cycling world just last week, suddenly announcing the Belgian's debut at the Tour of Flanders. After a successful race — Evenepoel finished third — the team announced less good news on Tuesday. Dan Lorang, a key coach for Evenepoel and others, will leave the team after ten years of loyal service.

'Dan Lorang is taking on a new challenge outside the Red Bull structure,' a press release from the Austrian-German team announced on Tuesday afternoon. It is the end of a strong partnership, as the team's words make clear: 'This marks the end of a very successful ten-year collaboration, which concludes at the end of July.'

CEO Ralph Denk also took the time to thank the German coach. 'I would like to thank Dan for ten years of trusting and impactful collaboration. As our team’s first Performance Coach, Dan has played a key role since the 2017 season in shaping our rise to the top of the WorldTour and in developing numerous athletes.'

'While I regret his decision, I fully respect his desire for change', the team boss continued. 'This openness and fairness have always defined our partnership. I wish Dan all the very best for his future beyond coaching and outside our organization.'

What consequences this will have for Evenepoel himself remains to be seen. In addition to Lorang, the Austrian-German team still has seven other coaches on staff. Red Bull have not yet commented if they will look to replace the departing Lorang.

The Belgian will, incidentally, not take part in Paris-Roubaix on Sunday after his surprising debut in the Tour of Flanders. The next outing for Evenepoel is the Amstel Gold Race on April 19. After that, he will attempt to win his second Liège-Bastogne-Liège on April 26.