Red Bull's swoop for ex-Belgian coach adds to Remco Evenepoel transfer saga
Remco Evenepoel's possible move to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe has generated headlines since the Tour de France began, and his former national coach Sven Vanthourenhout is now reportedly set to join the German team from August 1.
Former Belgian national coach Sven Vanthourenhout is reportedly set to join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe from August 1, a development that would appear to heighten the possibility of Remco Evenepoel joining the team next season.
Sporza, Het Nieuwsbladand Het Laatste Nieuwsall reported Vanthourenhout’s new role simultaneously on Thursday afternoon, though Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have yet to make an official announcement.
Vanthourenhout was Belgian national coach for each of Evenepoel’s five gold medals at the World Championships and Olympic Games before leaving the role in late 2024. He was linked with possible roles at UAE Team Emirates-XRG and Soudal-QuickStep last winter, but the 44-year-old ultimately did not join a WorldTour team for 2025.
Earlier this week, during an appearance on Sporza’s Vive Le Vélo show, Vanthourenhout confirmed that he was set to take up a new position in pro cycling, but he declined to name the team.
“I have a new team. I have an agreement to work in cycling in the future, but it's not up to me to announce that,” Vanthourenhout said.
HLN reports that Vanthourenhout held extensive discussions with Soudal-QuickStep last winter, and he was more recently in talks with Tudor and Lotto, before ultimately reaching an agreement with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
Although Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe are, per Daniel Benson’s reporting, “closer than ever” to striking a deal to buy Evenepoel out of the last year of his contract with Soudal-QuickStep, the arrival of Vanthourenhout is reportedly not part of any package deal involving the Belgian.
Daniel Benson has reported that Mattia Cattaneo would join Evenepoel if he moves to Red Bull, while HLN reports that directeur sportif Klaas Lodewyck, mechanic Dario Kloeck and soigneur David Geeroms would also follow the rider to his new team – if, of course, he ultimately leaves Soudal-QuickStep.
Evenepoel was heavily linked with a move to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe last summer before ultimately confirming he would remain at Soudal-QuickStep. The Olympic champion is currently second overall at the Tour de France, where he powered to victory in the stage 5 time trial in Caen.
Rolf Aldag is currently the sporting director at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, and HLN reports that Vanthourenhout is arriving to work alongside the German rather than to replace him.
