Lidl-Trek confirm major changes: Niermann in, Guercilena out, Andy Schleck CEO

The sweeping changes were reported by Daniel Benson on Monday and formally confirmed by Lidl-Trek on Tuesday evening following a video call with riders and staff.

Guercilena had been with the team since its inception, starting as a sports director with Leopard Trek in 2011 and remaining in place when the squad merged with Radioshack at the end of the season. The Italian took over as team manager when Johan Bruyneel was banned for life in October 2012, and his stewardship through that crisis convinced Trek to purchase the licence from owner Flavio Becca at the end of 2013.

Under Guercilena’s management, the revamped Trek Factory Racing would stabilise and develop over the next decade, and he also oversaw the establishment of women’s and under-23 teams.

Guercilena appeared to become a marginalised figure, however, when Lidl took over as majority shareholder last October, with former Leopard Trek rider Thomas Rohregger becoming increasingly influential as Lidl’s brand manager.

“I turn the page knowing that I leave behind a strong organisation made up of great professionals, a group of athletes capable of winning now and in the future, and a strong and determined ownership committed to taking cycling to another level,” said Guercilena.

Lidl-Trek confirmed that Guercilena would “remain fully active in his role through the 2026 Tour de France, ensuring a smooth handover.”

The reins will be handed to Andy Schleck, who was surprisingly appointed deputy general manager of Lidl-Trek last December. Since retiring in 2014, Schleck’s activities had included owning a bike shop and working with the Tour de Luxembourg organisation. He has been given the newly created title of CEO of Lidl-Trek.

“Having worked with Luca since my time as a rider at Leopard Trek, I experienced the passion, commitment and ambition he brought to this organization every single day,” Andy Schleck said in a statement released by Lidl-Trek. “I’m incredibly grateful for the trust placed in me to lead this team of extraordinary people into its next chapter and continue building on the strong culture and winning mentality he established.” 

Schleck’s brother Fränk is currently the manager of Lidl-Trek’s women’s team, having been promoted to the role in place of Michael Rogers in the spring. 

On Tuesday evening, Lidl-Trek also confirmed that Grischa Niermann will join from Visma on September 1 in the new role of chief sporting officer.

“After having spent my whole life at the organization today known as Team Visma | Lease a Bike, I felt the time was right for a new challenge,” Niermann said. “Joining Lidl-Trek represents a special opportunity for me personally, as it allows me to shape one of the most ambitious projects in professional cycling, strongly connected to my home country.”

Lidl-Trek’s sweeping changes also include the arrival of Dan Lorang as head of performance. The Luxembourger recently departed Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe after a ten-year spell with the team. His new role will also encompass work as the head of the “Crivit Performance Center” for the Schwarz Group, the owner of the Lidl supermarket chain.

Former Visma nutritionist Martijn Redegeld, who later worked in football with Ajax, is also set to join Lidl-Trek as head of nutrition.