Rolf Aldag

1 Mai 2000 Henninger Rennen Mammolshainer Berg

Rolf Aldag (born 25 August 1968) is a former professional road bicycle racer and current sports director from Germany. Over his career, Aldag became known for his roles both on and off the bike, contributing significantly to the sport of cycling in various capacities.

Early Life and Career

Rolf Aldag was born in Beckum, West Germany. He developed an interest in cycling at a young age, which eventually led to a professional career. Aldag turned professional in 1991 and rode for the majority of his career with the Team Telekom, later known as T-Mobile Team.

Professional Career

During his time as a professional cyclist, Aldag was known for his abilities as a domestique, supporting his team leaders in the Grand Tours and other major races. He participated in numerous editions of the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España, showcasing his endurance and commitment to his team's objectives.

Aldag's career highlights include winning a stage in the 1997 Tour de France and wearing the mountain classification jersey in the Giro d'Italia. His versatility and work ethic made him a valuable asset to his teams throughout his career.

Post-Racing Career

After retiring from professional racing in 2005, Aldag transitioned into team management and sports director roles. He has held significant positions with several top-tier cycling teams, including Highroad Sports, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, and Dimension Data (now known as Team Qhubeka Assos). In these roles, Aldag has been instrumental in developing young talent and leading teams to success in the international cycling circuit.

Controversy

In 2007, during a period of widespread doping investigations in professional cycling, Rolf Aldag admitted to using Erythropoietin (EPO) during his career. His admission came at a time when the sport was grappling with how to address and move past the doping culture that had become prevalent. Aldag's openness about his past actions was seen by some as a step toward transparency and healing in the sport.

Legacy

Rolf Aldag is remembered not only for his contributions as a rider but also for his impact as a sports director and team manager. His transition from athlete to management has allowed him to continue influencing the sport of cycling, mentoring the next generation of cyclists, and advocating for clean competition.

See Also

• List of doping cases in cycling
• List of German cyclists
• Tour de France
• Giro d'Italia
• Vuelta a España