Aldag transitions from cycling to triathlon

Rolf Aldag is leaving cycling for the second time since retiring from the professional peloton in 2005. The outgoing HTC-Highroad manager will assume a new role as the managing director of the World Triathlon Corporation’s German division.

Former Amgen Tour of California boss Andrew Messick joined WTC as CEO in May and welcomed Aldag.

“Rolf is an exceptional addition to WTC’s global management team,” said Messick in a statement. “He has a lifetime of experience in the endurance sports world and has distinguished himself as a leader and manager. We are confident that under Rolf’s leadership, WTC will continue to grow in Germany and across Europe.”

Aldag raced professionally on the road for 16 seasons, including 10 turns at the Tour de France where he was a key member of the Telekom squad. Aldag retired in 2005 and took up triathlon, winning the Ironman Lanzarote and qualifying for the world championships in 2006. Since joining High Road Sports, the operating company behind the HTC squad, in 2007, Aldag has led the program to more wins than any other top-tier professional team in the sport.

HTC-Highroad will disband at the close of the year after a sponsorship search failed to produce the backers needed to carry the program at the top level. Aldag is the final of the team’s sports directors to announce his new employer. Allan Peiper will join Garmin-Cervélo in 2012; Brian Holm will move with Tony Martin and a number of other HTC riders to Omega Pharma-Quick Step; Valerio Piva will join Katusha.

“I enjoy triathlon and seeing athletes overcome challenges,” said Aldag. “People want to test their limits, and Ironman allows them to do it under the best conditions. I am happy to become part of the WTC family and to help endurance athletes achieve their goals.”