German ex-teammate of van der Poel retires and becomes sports director: "The fear of crashing became paralyzing"

In 2010, Krieger joined the Conti team Heizomat. After four years at the third level of the sport, the German was given an opportunity with the Pro Continental team NetApp-Endura, the predecessor of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. After that internship, however, he was not offered a contract, after which he rode for another five years at the continental level with Leopard Pro Cycling.

There, he impressed in tricky sprints. That put him in the spotlight at Alpecin-Fenix, where he finally turned pro in 2020, at the age of 28. In his second year with the Roodhooft brothers' team, he rode his first Grand Tours: he helped Tim Merlier to a stage win in the Giro d'Italia and Jasper Philipsen to two victories in the Vuelta a España.

After his Tour debut in 2022, he finally decided to leave the Belgian team after four years for a new adventure with Tudor. He rode there in 2024 and 2025. But now he is hanging up his bike. “What remains are the moments, the friendships, the relationships, and the shared experiences,” he says in a detailed farewell message on his team's website.

Of course, Krieger will miss the sport: it has been a huge part of his life. But the last few years have certainly not been easy. “It is the fear of crashing and seriously injuring myself,” he explains. “The fear of injuring myself so badly that permanent damage is expected — this fear is paralyzing.”

Krieger crashed hard in the 2024 Giro. In the ninth stage to Naples, won by Olav Kooij, he broke several ribs and his pelvis. A year later, he returned to the scene of the accident. “There's a tree there, and I smashed into it. When I saw that tree completely intact this year, it made me realize how small and vulnerable we are as humans.”

That is why the German will now take on a less risky job, in Tudor's support car. Initially, he will accompany the U23 team. “I'll be able to share my experience with the young riders. The plan is for me also to be involved in the scouting department.” Krieger already has experience in this area: after his 2024 crash, he served briefly as the youth team's sports director.

"My time with the Devo riders last year motivated me to take this path. I quickly noticed how open and inquisitive the young athletes are, how professionally and thoughtfully they already work, and that this is where the foundation for dreams and success is laid. Physically, despite their age, they are already very advanced, and technically and tactically, I see opportunities for further development. This is where I come in."