Allan Peiper closes the cycling door. The Australian living in Belgium wants to focus on his fight against cancer and sees himself unable to be an advisor to Team UAE at the same time. Peiper played a major role in Tadej Pogacar’s two Tour victories. “I can’t do the job I want to do.”
Allan Peiper was the architect behind Tadej Pogacar’s first surprising Tour victory in 2020. The sports director was already fighting cancer, but that battle demands more and more from Peiper.
This year he was already less active and after Paris-Roubaix, Peiper had decided not to be a sports director anymore, but only as an advisor. He’s coming back to that now.
“The cancer treatment I’ve had over the past six years has taken a huge toll mentally and physically. Right now I feel like I can’t do the job I want to do,” Peiper says.
“The last three years with Team UAE have been a fantastic experience. The team gave me an opportunity even though they knew I was sick. I am very grateful to the team for that opportunity and also for the support and understanding I have received .”
Team UAE: “Door is open if health permits”
At Team UAE they don’t like to see Peiper leave. “Even if Allan takes a step back, he will always be part of our team,” said CEO Mauro Gianetti. “We have learned so much from him over the past three years.”
“His professionalism, commitment and knowledge have been invaluable to the team and we are grateful for what he has done. We wish him every success in his fight against cancer. The door is always open to a return if his health permits. “
Wie is Allan Peiper?
Allan Peiper came to Belgium from Australia in the 1980s to become a professional cyclist. He was taken care of by the Planckaert family and became a good friend of Eddy Planckaert. Peiper drove for Peugeot and Panasonic, among others, a stage win in the Giro in 1990 is his most beautiful victory.
Peiper stayed in Belgium after his active career and started working as a sports director. He worked for Lotto, Team Mobile and Team HTC, Garmin and BMC. In 2019, he stepped into Team UAE’s story and in that capacity, he was the architect behind Tadej Pogacar’s success. He played a crucial role in the Tour 2020 in particular.
Peiper relives Tour 2020: “My best cycling moment”
