Picture this: As the cycling season winds down and winter sets in, the buzz isn't just about star riders swapping jerseys and chasing victory in the 2026 campaign. Beneath the surface, there's a whole other transfer saga brewing—one that could shape the sport's future just as dramatically as any rider deal. But here's where it gets really intriguing: We're not talking about the athletes pedaling furiously on the road; we're diving into the backstage maneuvers of team staff, sports directors, and key managers making bold moves during this off-season shuffle. Stick around, because these changes might just redefine how teams approach the podium.
Cycling's off-season is a pivotal period for transfers, as detailed in our comprehensive guide to the latest news and announcements for 2026 (https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/cycling-transfers-all-the-latest-news-and-announcements-for-the-2026-season/). Riders are busy bidding farewell to their current squads, heading off to training camps with fresh teams, and mapping out ambitious goals for the year ahead. Yet, alongside the high-profile rider market that kicked off on August 1 and is still seeing last-minute tweaks, there's an equally vital world of staff transfers at play. This involves the relocation of coaches, strategists, and senior figures who wield immense influence over a team's performance—arguably as much as the cyclists themselves. For newcomers to the sport, think of sports directors (DSs) as the tactical brains in the team car, directing races, motivating riders, and ensuring strategies align with victories. These off-season shifts can inject new energy, reshape team dynamics, and even alter how rivalries unfold on the world stage.
Take the Ineos Grenadiers (https://www.cyclingnews.com/road/teams/uci-worldtour/2025/ineos-grenadiers/), for instance—they're poised to bid goodbye to several key DSs while welcoming riders into elevated roles. Iconic names like Geraint Thomas (https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/geraint-thomas/) are stepping up, potentially bridging the gap between the peloton and management. And that's not all; influential figures from the women's racing circuit are also on the move, signaling exciting shifts that could elevate female athletes' visibility and success.
To help you navigate this complex landscape, here's a detailed rundown of the major staff changes we've uncovered so far—expect updates as more details emerge—and our expert take on their potential impact. And this is the part most people miss: These moves aren't just administrative; they could spark debates about loyalty, innovation, and whether fresh faces truly outperform long-term insiders. Don't forget to subscribe for the latest race reports, exclusive interviews, features, gear reviews, and expert buying guides straight to your inbox!
Starting with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, the transformations here are nothing short of seismic as they gear up for the arrival of superstar Remco Evenepoel (https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/remco-evenepoel/). Following the Tour de France (https://www.cyclingnews.com/tour-de-france/), they parted ways with nearly their entire directing team, including Chief of Sports Rolf Aldag, Bernie Eisel, Heinrich Haussler, and Enrico Gasparotto. This bold purge paves the way for a complete reboot, ushering in a new chapter centered on Evenepoel. They've already appointed Zak Dempster as Chief of Sports (https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/the-most-exciting-project-in-our-sport-zak-dempster-appointed-chief-of-sports-at-red-bull-bora-hansgrohe-ahead-of-remco-evenepoels-arrival/), alongside Oli Cookson as Head of Racing, both hailing from Ineos Grenadiers. Evenepoel is also bringing along his trusted Belgian national coach Sven Vanthourenhout and Klaas Lodewyck, a DS from Soudal-QuickStep. For beginners, this highlights how riders sometimes import their own 'entourage,' creating a tight-knit 'Team Remco' unit (https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/team-remco-evenepoel-builds-personal-entourage-of-staff-and-management-as-part-of-transfer-to-red-bull-bora-hansgrohe/) that prioritizes their vision. It's a clear indicator of Red Bull's deep commitment to making Evenepoel the team's undeniable leader, even if veterans like Primož Roglič and Florian Lipowitz might hope to share the spotlight.
Additionally, John Wakefield, who spearheaded the team's thriving development program for young talents, has been promoted to Director of Coaching, Sports Science, and Technical Development. His proven track record with rookies and juniors suggests he'll bring that same magic to the WorldTour squad—think of it as upgrading from nurturing seedlings to cultivating championship roses. But here's where it gets controversial: Recruiting Dempster (https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/its-about-creating-a-team-zak-dempster-on-how-he-will-manage-red-bull-bora-hansgrohe-and-remco-evenepoel-in-2026/) as Chief of Sport seems like a masterstroke; the Australian tactician has quietly built a reputation for smart, relentless strategies at Ineos. Red Bull is clearly aiming for a fresh start in 2026, and while axing almost the entire staff might feel extreme, it's often the most effective way to instill a new culture and lofty aspirations. Critics might argue this disrupts team harmony, but others see it as an essential reset—do you think such drastic overhauls are worth the risk?
Over at Ineos Grenadiers, the departures are significant. As mentioned, they're losing Zak Dempster, who served as their top DS after Steve Cummings' exit (https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ineos-grenadiers-shake-up-management-for-2024-after-departure-of-ellingworth/), and was instrumental in fostering a more aggressive, opportunistic racing style this year. His achievements have earned him a promotion to guide a top-tier rider, but it's undoubtedly a blow to Ineos, who may find it tough to replace his expertise. They could tap into former riders for staff roles, but Dempster's seasoned DS background and successful methods will be sorely missed. Not to mention, Oli Cookson is also heading to Red Bull, deepening the British team's loss of key strategists who shaped their 2025 approach. It's puzzling how Ineos will plug these gaps—Geraint Thomas is rumored for a bridging role between riders and management, not a full DS position, and he hasn't pursued the necessary UCI license. Instead, they might turn to Salvatore Puccio, a recent retiree, or promote others like Ben Swift (https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/ben-swift/), who recently obtained his DS license. Swift's future on the bike remains uncertain, but he's clearly being groomed for directing duties, illustrating how teams often transition athletes into coaching to leverage their insider knowledge.
Bahrain Victorious (https://www.cyclingnews.com/road/teams/uci-worldtour/2025/bahrain-victorious/) is capitalizing on Red Bull's shake-up by securing Enrico Gasparotto. This addition could bolster their performance, especially after a challenging 2025 season marked by inconsistent results and lesser-known DSs. Gasparotto's prior stint as a rider for Bahrain gives him familiarity with the team's vibe and culture, easing his integration—a smart move that underscores the value of insider perspectives in staff transitions.
Movistar is undergoing its own revamp, though on a smaller scale than Red Bull. They've restructured management into four specialized departments: performance, racing, health, and riders, each led by a dedicated manager. Long-time manager Sebastián Unzué remains at the helm as Head of Sports, but the standout hire is Matt White as co-leader of the racing department (https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/very-exciting-new-chapter-matt-white-joins-movistar-as-co-head-of-new-race-department-after-leaving-jayco-alula/). White, a highly regarded director who departed Jayco AlUla this year (https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/matt-white-leaves-greenedge-cycling-with-immediate-effect-as-australian-team-restructures-performance-group/), brings vast experience and a rider's insight from his past time with Movistar. While the reasons for his Jayco exit aren't public, it likely ties to their recent struggles, yet his expertise remains invaluable. As they welcome Cian Uijtdebroeks as a Grand Tour hopeful, this could mark a turning point for Movistar—does bringing in former team members always guarantee success, or is it sometimes better to start entirely fresh?
On the women's side, changes are emerging, though more are expected. Michel Cornelisse's switch from Fenix-Deceuninck to UAE Team ADQ (https://www.cyclingnews.com/road/teams/uci-womens-worldtour/2025/uae-team-adq/) stands out. Though not a household name, Cornelisse was pivotal at Fenix-Deceuninck during their WorldTour ascent, guiding stars like Puck Pieterse and Pauliena Rooijakkers (https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/pauliena-rooijakkers/) in Classics and Grand Tours. His strategic acumen and rider support were key to their cohesion, making this a notable loss for Fenix and a boost for UAE, who are expanding their ambitious project with a hefty budget. They've already onboarded Elisa Longo Borghini last year and now Rooijakkers (https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/tour-de-france-femmes-podium-finisher-pauliena-rooijakkers-signs-with-uae-team-adq-for-2026-and-2027/), and Cornelisse's proven rapport with her could enhance team synergy. Paired with Cherie Pridham, UAE's directing ranks are strengthening to match their growing roster— is this the dawn of a women's cycling powerhouse, or are we overlooking potential challenges in rapid expansion?
Human Powered Health (https://www.cyclingnews.com/road/teams/uci-womens-worldtour/2025/human-powered-health-women/) brought in Magnus Bäckstedt as their new head sports director this summer. Famous for his Paris-Roubaix triumph, Bäckstedt has earned respect in women's cycling after stints at Canyon-SRAM and Cofidis, despite some team-hopping. For beginners, his experience exemplifies how retired champions can transition into directing, blending race knowledge with coaching wisdom. Hopefully, Human Powered Health offers a stable platform for his ideas to flourish, potentially inspiring more sustainable career paths in the sport.
Jayco AlUla and Liv AlUla Jayco have been deliberate in their approach after Matt White's departure in May, opting for internal promotions over immediate external hires. Gene Bates now leads the men's team as sporting manager, building on six years with the squad and his prior women's team leadership, plus his role in AusCycling, including Grace Brown's Olympic time trial win (https://www.cyclingnews.com/races/olympic-games-2024/road-cycling-women-s-individual-time-trial/results/) last summer. Wim Stroetinga takes charge of the women's team, having joined as a DS in 2024. This separation of roles differs from White's unified oversight, sparking debate on whether integrated departments foster better collaboration or if specialized ones allow tailored strategies. Promoting from within leverages deep team insight, but some argue that external fresh air is crucial when results lag—will this insider approach pay off for the Australian teams, or prove to be a missed opportunity for innovation?
Looking ahead to potential new directors, retiring riders often pivot to the team car, and this off-season saw 81 aspiring DSs complete the mandatory UCI course and exams. While official accreditation lists are pending, glimpses from the World Cycling Centre reveal familiar faces preparing for directing careers. As noted, Ben Swift participated, alongside Tim Declercq (https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/tim-declercq/), Niki Terpstra, Adrien Petit, and Nico Roche. New Modern Adventure Pro Cycling (https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/renaissance-of-american-cycling-modern-adventure-pro-cycling-takes-shape-with-sights-on-tour-de-france-in-five-years-or-less/) DSs Alex Howes, Ty Magner, and Joey Rosskopf also took part, confirming their roles, but others like Declercq remain mysterious. In women's cycling, Amanda Spratt (https://www.cyclingnews.com/riders/amanda-spratt/), still racing for Lidl-Trek in 2026, earned her license—perhaps eyeing a hybrid rider-director role like Anna van der Breggen's. Sanne Cant, now coaching at SD Worx-Protime, also passed, opening doors to road directing. This trend highlights cycling's evolving landscape, where former pros inject real-world experience into strategy.
In wrapping up, these staff reshuffles aren't mere background noise—they're the hidden engines driving cycling's evolution. But here's where it gets controversial: Are these changes truly transformative, or do they sometimes prioritize star power over team stability? We invite you to weigh in: Do you believe promoting internal talent beats recruiting outsiders? Could Remco Evenepoel's 'Team Remco' approach revolutionize directing, or isolate veterans? Share your opinions in the comments below—let's discuss how these moves will shape the 2026 season!
Matilda is an NCTJ-qualified journalist based in the UK, who joined Cyclingnews in March 2025. She previously served as Racing News Editor at GCN and freelanced extensively for publications like Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Velo, Rouleur, Escape Collective, and Red Bull. With coverage from major events including the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France Femmes, Tour of Flanders, and Paris-Roubaix, she brings deep expertise in women's cycling and sports journalism, holding a degree in modern languages and sports journalism.
