"For me, it’s a big surprise, and for everyone else, it’s a bigger surprise" - Shane Archbold will become DS at BORA - hansgrohe

Including layovers, Shane Archbold’s transition from BORA - hansgrohe rider to the team's sports director should take about sixteen hours. After bringing the curtain down on his racing career at the Tour of Guangxi on Tuesday, the New Zealander will report for duty in his new role in Germany on Wednesday evening.

"Tomorrow I’m flying straight from China to Munich for the team meeting, and straight into the new role," Archbold told Cyclingnews after signing on for his career's final race. 

Read also

Tom Dumoulin completes the course of Amsterdam's half maraton in impressive time of 1:10.04

"I’ll get on the flight with the boys as a rider and get off as a DS. It’s going to be a bit strange, but that’s how the team see it. They wanted me to stay calm and stay as a rider until now, and then start into the role."

"For me, it’s a big surprise, and for everyone else, it’s a bigger surprise," Archbold said. "I don't think anyone would have expected it, but Ralph has an idea and it’s something I'm willing to try and see how we go, to try to progress the young riders on the team for the future."

Read also

"Maybe he’ll want to do all three Grand Tours" - Rafal Majka on Tadej Pogacar's aims for 2024

"I wonder if the locks will be changed soon" - Moustachioed Lars van der Haar 5th in World Cup opener but wife unimpressed by new facial hair