Lidl-Trek announces major changes in sporting leadership

Eisel steps into the newly created position of Head of Racing according to the press release of the team, a role that centralises oversight of race planning and sporting strategy across the organisation. 

The Austrian brings extensive experience from both sides of the sport. During a 19-year professional career, he rode for teams including HTC Columbia and Team Sky, earning a reputation as a key road captain and trusted support rider in the Classics and Grand Tours, especially for Mark Cavendish.

Since retiring in 2019, Eisel has remained closely involved in the sport as a commentator and analyst, while also working as a sports director for Red Bull Bora Hansgrohe. At the end of last year, Eisel had already joined Lidl-Trek as a sports director, and his appointment suggests that the team is looking to add a more coordinated layer to its sporting decision making.

On the women’s side, Fränk Schleck has been appointed team manager after initially joining the set-up earlier this year as a sports director. The Luxembourger enjoyed a successful career as a rider, winning the Amstel Gold Race in 2006 and finishing on the podium at the Tour de France in 2011.

Following his retirement, Schleck stayed active within cycling through various roles, including work with Luxembourg cycling and involvement in developing the women’s programme in his home country. That background is central to his new position, which carries broader responsibility for the direction of Lidl-Trek’s women’s team.

His move also comes as part of a wider family return to the team. His brother, Andy Schleck, winner of the 2010 Tour de France, joined Lidl-Trek earlier this year as Deputy General Manager. In that role, he is involved across both sporting and organisational areas, with a particular focus on long term development and Grand Tour ambitions.

The changes also include the departure of Michael Rogers, who will leave his role as women’s team manager after the spring classics.