Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe suddenly says goodbye to team's mastermind; his successor is someone who knows Evenepoel well
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleRed Bull-BORA-hansgrohe has been making headlines for some time now due to the possible transfer of Remco Evenepoel, and there could be an interesting twist in this story. After Florian Lipowitz finished third in the Tour de France (and won the white jersey), the German team seemed set for success, but three days after the celebrations in Paris, a press release suddenly announced the departure of Rolf Aldag, the team's mastermind for many years.
ADVERTISEMENT
From 2022, sporting director Aldag took the reins at the then BORA-hansgrohe. The 56-year-old German played an essential role in the development of the team, but now, just after the Tour, that role has come to an end. The Austrian-German team has announced that Aldag is leaving the team with immediate effect. Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe refers to it as a 'mutual decision'. "Rolf has played an important role in the sporting development of the team," the team said.
“Through his tireless commitment, experience, and passion, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe as a Grand Tour powerhouse,” the statement continued. “The team’s standout achievements during this period include overall victory at the Giro d’Italia 2022, a triumph at the Vuelta a España 2024, as well as a podium finish and the White Jersey win at the Tour de France 2025.”
Read more below the photo!
"I am proud of what we achieved as a team," said Aldag himself
CEO Ralph Denk thanked his sporting director for his services in the same statement. “Rolf took on responsibility during a time of transition and helped drive our team forward both athletically and structurally. We are deeply grateful for his dedication. He has left a lasting impact – both in sporting terms and on a personal level,” said Ralph Denk, CEO of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, in recognition of their time together. This chapter ends now that we have achieved our objectives, but the path we walked together has left its mark.”
Denk did not give a specific reason. “We look back on these years with great respect and gratitude and sincerely wish Rolf all the best in whatever lies ahead. For the next chapter of our story, we have jointly decided to bring in fresh impetus and take a new direction,” was all he said. Aldag agreed. “We have reached the goals we set four years ago. Accordingly, we have jointly decided that now is the right time for both parties to pursue new challenges.”
Read more below the photo
Sven Vanthourenhout (left) was the national coach of Evenepoel for many years.
Vanthourenhout succeeds Aldag
“My time at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe has been deeply formative, both personally and professionally,” Aldag continues. “Together, we successfully navigated the complex transition from a sprint-focused team to one built around stage racing, and celebrated major victories – always with a clear vision in mind. I am proud of what we achieved as a team. Now is the moment to take a new path. I wish the team continued success and all the best for the future.”
Shortly after the announcement of Aldag's departure, his successor confirmed to HLN that he would be joining the team with immediate effect. Sven Vanthourenhout was out of a job after his years as Belgian national coach for the elite men's team and cyclo-cross, but now he is back. He also sent a confirmation message to Sporza: "I will indeed be starting immediately at Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe." In recent years, Vanthourenhout worked closely with Evenepoel, Red Bull's top transfer target.
To be continued.
Read also
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
IDL-productions
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Latest Cycling News
Eddie Dunbar wins Vuelta stage as Pinarello-Q36.5 put three riders in top five and Roglič attacks
Tom Pidcock ends 2026 fifth in the world, with Ciccone and Hayter arriving at Pinarello for 2027
Picnic PostNL's WorldTour uncertainty has five rival teams, and Tom Pidcock, watching the UCI closely
Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado's injury isn't as bad as feared, but she may not line up for a while
TotalEnergies rescued from collapse, but rider recruitment remains a problem before 27th Tour de France appearance
Popular Cycling News
Sven Nys spoke with Lucinda Brand straight after European Championship drama: 'Is that enough to ultimately relegate someone'
Fears of serious injury to Alvarado, bronze medalist, after the European Cyclocross Championships
Disqualified Schreiber skips European Championship podium: 'I’m very grateful that she said that'
Picnic PostNL's WorldTour uncertainty has five rival teams, and Tom Pidcock, watching the UCI closely
Schreiber slams disrespectful European cyclocross championship judges: 'They didn’t even let me finish speaking'
Latest Comments
- Eight riders told to go for stages, and nobody gets one—hard to know what the plan was there. It’ll be interesting to see whether they pick a clear leader next time.bikebuffj10-11-2026
- Was Bernal’s 20th place really their best GC result? I thought he might have finished higher. Either way, it sounds like a rough Tour for the whole team.gearguru3310-11-2026
- Five days in breaks with no stage win is a painful stat. The team had chances, but they need to turn those opportunities into results.julien10-11-2026
- The Onley Vuelta example makes sense: a team with someone to rally around often looks much more cohesive. Hopefully INEOS can build on that rather than expecting a quick return to the Sky years.cadencekingm10-11-2026
- Thomas is right about the ambiguity. Eight riders all chasing stages can end up pulling in different directions, even if nobody’s deliberately working against anyone. They need a clearer plan once the GC leaders are out.robert6510-11-2026
- What a mess. The report makes it sound as though nobody properly explained the decision, and that’s hard to defend.jennifer1910-11-2026
- I’m still learning the rules: does moving left in a sprint automatically bring a penalty, or does it depend on whether the other rider is blocked? It sounds like Brand wasn’t impeded here.patriciaw10-11-2026
- A final decision still needs a proper explanation. If the federation’s complaint goes nowhere, I hope the officials at least review how they handled the riders afterwards.michael5410-11-2026
- Fair play to Lucinda for saying Marie had won fair and square. That kind of sportsmanship matters, especially after such a controversial decision.raceready710-11-2026
- Schreiber beat Brand on the road, so the jury needed to explain clearly why that slight deviation warranted relegation. Being cut off before she could give her account sounds appalling.lindae10-11-2026