Zak Dempster was wearing Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe black workforce clothes slightly than Ineos Grenadiers purple at Il Lombardia, in considered one of his first public moments in his new function because the German workforce’s new Chief of Sports activities.
The 38-year-old Australian was a directeur sportif at Ineos and led the British workforce’s Tour de France mission. He could have a much more senior function at Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, with duty for efficiency and racing.
Dempster will handle the workforce round new chief Remco Evenepoel, as Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe tackle UAE Workforce Emirates-XRG and Visma-Lease a Bike and goal the Tour de France. He should rigorously steadiness Evenepoel’s arrival with the roles of Primož Roglič and Florian Lipowitz within the Grand Excursions and the workforce’s wider ambitions in 2026 and past.
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“We do not lack expertise and we have constructed a very proficient roster for 2026”
Dempster raced as knowledgeable in Europe for 11 years, beginning with the John Herety’s Rapha Condor Sharp workforce. He raced for Workforce NetApp-Endura and Bora-Argon 18 between 2013 and 2016, which was the muse of the present Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe mission. He ended his profession on the Israel Biking Academy earlier than becoming a member of Ineos as a directeur sportif.
“Zak is aware of our workforce like only a few others. He performed an essential function in shaping our historical past, and regardless of his younger age, he already brings intensive worldwide management expertise,” workforce supervisor Ralph Denk stated when he made the shock announcement of Dempster’s arrival at Pink Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.
“I am satisfied that his contemporary concepts, clear management model, and fearlessness will assist us write the subsequent chapter in our sporting evolution.”
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Dempster is thought for his quiet however commanding model. He listens to folks but additionally leads.
“I feel I am a reasonably structured man and I feel I am very, very direct too,” Dempster stated.
“I really feel I decide to issues if I actually imagine in them, and it is a mission I actually imagine in. There are some nice issues to rejoice concerning the workforce, even from once I raced right here. The ambition is for rather more. I am excited to play my half in pulling all of it collectively.
“I prefer to be a part of a high-performing workforce. It isn’t nearly having high-performing people, it is about making a workforce.”
Dempster arguably faces some of the intense roles within the sport as Evenepoel joins the workforce. They’ve little doubt already talked at size, with the workforce’s winter get collectively within the subsequent few weeks after which the primary coaching camps, very important steps in the direction of success and unity in 2026.
“I have been chatting with the riders this week, listening to them and getting their insights, asking what they like concerning the workforce and likewise what we are able to enhance and the place we need to go,” Dempster revealed.
“There’s been some lengthy days of listening, but it surely’s been nice to get on board. We do not lack expertise, and we have constructed a very proficient roster for 2026.”
“We’re additionally in a very good place with the information of the DS and the efficiency workforce. I need to have a collaborative setting the place folks contribute to the mission and are comfortable to present their all.
“It isn’t going to all the time be snug, as a result of it is about efficiency. However that is the route we’re going as a workforce.”