Nine years after he retired as a Trek rider, former top climber Fränk Schleck has rejoined Lidl-Trek to bolster the sports directors group for their women's team, working under Ina-Yoko Teutenberg.
Schleck, 45, joined Leopard Trek in 2011 and saw out the final years of his career on the Luxembourgish and then US-registered team, during which time he finished third at the Tour de France behind his younger brother Andy and Cadel Evans.
Prior to this, he also won the Amstel Gold Race, the Tour de Suisse, a stage of the Vuelta a España and two stages of the Tour de France. His new role at Lidl-Trek brings him back into the professional cycling world, having been a brand ambassador for Skoda and organised his own Gran Fondo, among other things, in recent years.
"It feels amazing to be back," said Schleck. "This team means a lot to me, and there’s a real sense of pride and familiarity returning to a place with so many good memories.
"Coming in from the outside, I could immediately see the energy and direction of the project. The October camp showed me how committed everyone is to pushing standards, and it’s exciting to now be part of that process.
"Personally, I want to contribute as much as I can on and off the field and help the team reach the next level. Success for me is seeing us achieve our collective goals. I’m grateful for the opportunity, and I’m looking forward to sharing my experience and knowledge with the team."
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