Demol joins Astana as director

Astana announced Saturday that Dirk Demol will join the team in 2009 to work as a director sportif.

The Belgian is a former winner of Paris-Roubaix (1988) and most recently worked as a team director with Quick Step-Innergetic, where he led Stijn Devolder to the biggest win of his career at the Tour of Flanders. Demol will join Team Astana for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.

After 14 years as a professional cyclist (1982-1995), Demol began his sport directing career with Groeninge Spurters Kortrijk (U23 Team with Tom Boonen and Stijn Devolder). In 2000 he joined Johan Bruyneel’s U.S. Postal Service Team (later Discovery), where he worked for the following eight years.

“I’ve had the opportunity to work side-by-side with Dirk for almost a decade,” said Bruyneel. “He has a wealth of cycling knowledge and experience and also has the ability to recognize young talent. Our directors have done an excellent job this season and adding Dirk will only make us better in 2009.”

“It was not an easy decision to leave Patrick Lefevere’s (Quick Step) team, but I am excited to be reunited with Johan Bruyneel,” said Demol. “What Johan has been able to do this year with Team Astana is quite special and admirable and I look forward to being a part of his program once again. It will be a new team with some familiar faces, but I know the winning philosophy and structure have remained the same.”