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Zak Dempster appointed Chief of Sports at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe
It’s a special reunion at the German UCI WorldTeam: after almost ten years, former team rider Zak Dempster is returning – this time as Chief of Sports.
Since October 1, the Australian has been responsible for overseeing the entire sporting division at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe.
Dempster rode his first season with Ralph Denk’s squad in 2013. Until 2016, he played a key role in a formative phase of the team’s history – years in which the foundations were laid for its rise to the WorldTour and its development into a global top team. He was part of the squad when the team celebrated its first Grand Tour stage victory and lined up for its first Tour de France.
I am convinced that his fresh ideas, clear leadership style, and fearlessness will help us write the next chapter in our sporting evolution.
With Zak Dempster’s return, Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe is also signaling a new generation in management. At just 38 years old, he will now take overall responsibility for all performance departments as Chief of Sports.
Ralph Denk, CEO of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, said: “Zak knows our team like very few others. He played an important role in shaping our history, and despite his young age, he already brings extensive international leadership experience. I am convinced that his fresh ideas, clear leadership style, and fearlessness will help us write the next chapter in our sporting evolution.”
For me, this feels like coming home. I share so many formative moments of my career with this team, and I am excited to now contribute to its future in a new role.
Zak Dempster added: “For me, this feels like coming home. I share so many formative moments of my career with this team, and I am excited to now contribute to its future in a new role. I know Ralph as an ambitious team manager, and with Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe he has created the most exciting project in our sport. Now it’s about realizing this enormous potential together.”
Zak Dempster as a professional at the Tour Down Under 2018.
© Getty Images
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Sports Director team complete
The line-up of Sports Directors at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe is also set for the coming season. Oliver Cookson will take on the role of Head of Racing. The 44-year-old Brit brings with him extensive experience, having spent the past ten years as a Sports Director, most of them with Ineos Grenadiers.
Under his leadership, eleven Sports Directors will oversee race planning and the support of the WorldTour, U23, and U19 teams. Alongside Sven Vanthourenhout, who has been in place since August, Klaas Lodewyck and Tony Gallopin will join the squad at the start of the new year. Lodewyck arrives from Soudal – Quick-Step, where he worked as a Sports Director for ten years after the end of his professional career. Tony Gallopin, a Tour de France stage winner, brings experience from two years in a similar role at Lotto.
Enrico Poitschke will also return to races as a Sports Director in the new season, in addition to his current position as the team's Head of Performance Structure Alignment.
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Sports Management at Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe 2026
- Chief of Sports: Zak Dempster
- Head of Racing: Oliver Cookson
- Sports Director (WorldTour): Shane Archbold, Tony Gallopin, Roger Hammond, Klaas Lodewyck, Enrico Poitschke, Christian Pömer, Sven Vanthourenhout, Patxi Villa
- Sports Director (U23/U19): Cesare Benedetti, Gregor Gazvoda, Pello Olaberria
