Enrico Gasparotto will be working for Bahrain Victorious again starting next season. Not as a rider, but as a directeur sportif. The 43-year-old former rider has been active in this role for Red Bull-BORA hansgrohe in recent years, but could not count on a longer stay with the German team.
Gasparotto does not need to worry about his future, as he will remain part of the WorldTour peloton next year as directeur sportif for Bahrain Victorious. The Italian Swiss is thus returning to his old team, having previously raced two seasons (2017-2018) for the Middle Eastern squad.
"I was part of the team when it was founded. I have good memories of it and I am happy to return now in my new role," the former rider said in a press statement. "I am grateful for this opportunity and the trust of general manager Milan Eržen."
"The team has come a long way and there are many new faces, which will make this next adventure even more interesting. I am ready for this new chapter and hope to use my enthusiasm and passion for the sport to help the riders and the team achieve their goals."
Enrico Gasparotto won the Amstel Gold Race twice, including in 2016 - photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
With Gasparotto, Bahrain Victorious brings in valuable experience. In his seventeen-year professional career, he achieved several prestigious victories. His two wins in the Amstel Gold Race (2013 and 2016) stand out immediately, but the former classics specialist also won stages in Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of Catalonia. In 2012, he also stood on the podium at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, finishing third.
