Michael Schär will put on the staff colors for Lidl-Trek in 2024, then again, transitioning from the motorcycle to the staff automotive as a sports activities director, the staff introduced Friday. The Swiss veteran just lately finished his 18th season within the professional peloton with AG2R Citroën, his occupation spanning 3 different groups.
As a Swiss junior time trial champion, he would later declare the nationwide street race name in 2013. He gave the impression in all 3 Grand Excursions, with the Excursion de France being probably the most in keeping with 11 of his 13 appearances. Schär additionally represented Switzerland at 3 Olympic Video games.
“I’ve a excellent feeling to make the transition to existence as a Sports activities Director at this second,” stated Schär in a staff observation. “I had 18 years as a professional within the WorldTour, and now I feel stepping over to the opposite facet is the precise time. I’m taking a look ahead to make the trade from rider to director and get started a brand new bankruptcy.”
In October this 12 months, Schär made Paris-Excursions the overall race as a street skilled, bowing out for retirement in conjunction with AG2R Citroën teammate and buddy Greg Van Avermaet. The pair had ridden in combination for 13 years, starting when the Belgian joined BMC Racing Group in 2011. They remained at that programme thru 2020, when it was once CCC Group after which spent the overall 3 seasons at AG2R.
Schär discussed that it was once his reference to Lidl-Trek’s Normal Supervisor Luca Guercilena that made the verdict a very simple one, as Guercilena used to function the trainer for Swiss Biking when Schär competed within the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Video games.
“We did the Olympics and plenty of Global Championships in combination. Particularly, the 2012 Olympics made a super influence on me because of the best way Luca handled us and motivated us. For me, it was once the most productive race I’ve ever accomplished,” Schär recalled.
“I truly favored the philosophy of the staff, and the staff development that was once accomplished was once implausible. I’m satisfied to transport again into an American-style group. It was once cool to peer that the riders and personnel have this type of robust bond in combination.”
He was once recognized for his stamina to give a boost to staff leaders in one-day Classics or Grand Excursions, in addition to his versatility to take the reins when alternatives arose. When he introduced his retirement this summer season, Schär stated his primary function as a rider was once to “give a contribution to the staff’s luck and give a boost to our leaders,” which he’s going to now proceed to do as a director.
“What I’m maximum excited for is to peer how the opposite facet of the game seems to be within the automotive and entering ways. It’s a fully other side of the game, and I’m taking a look ahead to getting caught into this new problem. I’m additionally truly taking a look ahead to finding out from the present DS crew as it’s an excessively skilled crew of serious other people, I will be able to be told such a lot from them.”
Schär was once one of the vital first riders to be disqualified from a race when new regulations for ‘littering’ had been enforced by way of the UCI in April. He was once expelled from the Excursion of Flanders after throwing his bidon towards a gaggle of cheering lovers at the roadside, who straight away swooped at the race souvenir.
The Swiss rider took to social media to proportion a non-public tale about how professional cyclists can hook up with younger lovers, and his “Expensive UCI: WHY KIDS START CYCLING” submit drew an enormous outpouring of give a boost to.
“Those are moments why I like our game. No person ever can take that clear of us. We’re probably the most approachable game who offers bottles alongside the best way. Easy as that. Easy is Biking.”
