The Australian’s arrival is part of a broader overhaul.
Alongside him, Evenepoel will bring trusted allies from Quick-Step, including
DS Klaas Lodewyck, a mechanic, and a soigneur. Sven Vanthourenhout, who has
guided Evenepoel’s Belgian national team successes, will also join the setup.
This influx of experienced backroom staff signals that BORA is no longer just
building depth in the peloton, they are attempting to follow in the footsteps
of UAE and Visma by creating the sport’s next super-team.
When Dempster arrives, he will find a roster already
brimming with GC talent. Primoz Roglic, despite turning 36 soon, remains
dangerous in the third week of a Grand Tour, as his attacking rides in the Alps
at the 2025 Tour proved. Florian Lipowitz, the revelation of 2025, stepped up
after Evenepoel’s abandonment in the Pyrenees to finish third overall in Paris,
holding the white jersey to the end. Jai Hindley, Dani Martinez, and Aleksandr
Vlasov add further depth in the mountains.
But the team’s 2026 ambitions clearly orbit around
Evenepoel. After years at Quick-Step without the climbing support to challenge
Pogacar or Vingegaard over three weeks, the Belgian will finally have a roster
capable of controlling the race. With Red Bull’s budget matching cycling’s
richest outfits, the pieces are now in place.
The move for Dempster also reflects the importance of
blending rider strength with strategic intelligence. Red Bull – BORA –
hansgrohe’s management turnover in recent weeks, most notably the departure of
Rolf Aldag and Enrico Gasparotto, left space for new ideas. Denk’s quiet,
methodical recruitment drive has targeted individuals who can deliver both in
the car and on the road, and he clearly think Dempster meets that profile.
Dempster’s grounding in WorldTour racing, his experience
directing across varied terrain, and his understanding of Grand Tour tactics
position him as a key figure in what could be cycling’s most talked-about
project next year.
Belgian media have already bristled at Evenepoel’s early
departure from Quick-Step. “Leaving the team before the end of his contract
shows little respect for his employer,” Het Nieuwsblad wrote. “Now, there
remains that bitter aftertaste of ingratitude and egocentrism.” Jan Bakelants
called it “almost a hostile takeover.” De Morgen warned that “anyone who leaves
the Lefevere team… usually performs less well.”
So, if the Dempster signing is confirmed, he will be under
immense pressure. His job will be to ensure that the wealth of talent at Red
Bull – BORA – hansgrohe operates as a cohesive, race-winning unit. And
considering the wealth of talent on offer at BORA, that could be challenge.