Michael Schär will put on the group colors for Lidl-Trek in 2024, alternatively, transitioning from the motorcycle to the group automotive as a sports activities director, the group introduced Friday. The Swiss veteran not too long ago 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 highway race identify in 2013. He seemed in all 3 Grand Excursions, with the Excursion de France being probably the most in step 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 lifestyles as a Sports activities Director at this second,” stated Schär in a group remark. “I had 18 years as a professional within the WorldTour, and now I feel stepping over to the opposite aspect is the correct time. I’m having 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 highway skilled, bowing out for retirement at the side of 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 Basic 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 lots of Global Championships in combination. Particularly, the 2012 Olympics made a really perfect affect on me because of the way in which Luca handled us and motivated us. For me, it was once the most productive race I’ve ever performed,” Schär recalled.
“I in reality appreciated the philosophy of the group, and the group development that was once performed was once implausible. I’m glad to transport again into an American-style group. It was once cool to look that the riders and group of workers have the sort of sturdy bond in combination.”
He was once recognized for his stamina to make stronger group 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 group’s luck and make stronger our leaders,” which he’ll now proceed to do as a director.
“What I’m maximum excited for is to look how the opposite aspect of the game appears to be like within the automotive and coming into techniques. It’s an absolutely other side of the game, and I’m having a look ahead to getting caught into this new problem. I’m additionally in reality having a look ahead to finding out from the prevailing DS staff as it’s an overly skilled staff of significant other people, I will be able to be informed such a lot from them.”
Schär was once one of the most first riders to be disqualified from a race when new regulations for ‘littering’ had been enforced through the UCI in April. He was once expelled from the Excursion of Flanders after throwing his bidon towards a gaggle of cheering enthusiasts at the roadside, who straight away swooped at the race souvenir.
The Swiss rider took to social media to percentage a non-public tale about how professional cyclists can hook up with younger enthusiasts, and his “Expensive UCI: WHY KIDS START CYCLING” put up drew an enormous outpouring of make stronger.
“Those are moments why I really like our game. No one ever can take that clear of us. We’re probably the most approachable game who offers bottles alongside the way in which. Easy as that. Easy is Biking.”