Former Lidl-Trek team manager Luca Guercilena has been confirmed as general director of RCS Sport's cycling division, a role that involves overseeing the organisation of the Giro d'Italia, Milan-San Remo, Il Lombardia and all its other races.
The specific nature of Guercilena's job has yet to be revealed, but according to a report by Daniel Benson, it will not be an identical role to that of former Giro d'Italia race director Mauro Vegni, who retired in February this year.
Guercilena is expected to start in his new position on September 1.
The full list of races Guercilena will be coordinating overall is a long one, running from the men's Giro d'Italia to Milan-San Remo, Il Lombardia, UAE Tour, Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milano-Torino, Giro Women, Giro Next Gen, Giro d'Abruzzo and the Gran Piemonte e Lombardia.
Renowned for his versatile and hands-on approach as a manager, Guercilena started managerial work as a sports director with young talents at the legendary Mapei squad in the early noughties. For the last 11 years, he has been the team manager at Lidl-Trek, which he is set to leave following the Tour de France as part of a series of major changeovers at the German WorldTour squad. He has also had a spell as Swiss National team coach, working closely with former TT giant Fabio Cancellara.
At Lidl-Trek, aside from Guercilena's imminent departure, 2010 Tour de France winner Andy Schleck will soon be starting as new team CEO and Grischa Niermann, formerly with Visma-Lease a Bike, is set to become the new Chief Sporting Officer. In yet more changes, Dan Lorang, previously with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe will shortly become the new Lidl-Trek Head of Performance.
Regarding his new post in the Giro d'Italia, Guercilena, 52, said in a press release: "My goal will be to further enhance the expertise already within the organization, strengthen the dialogue with institutions and teams, and contribute to the development of new international projects, helping take cycling to even greater heights."
"Luca Guercilena's appointment marks a strategic step in strengthening our group's cycling division," added Paolo Bellino, CEO and General Manager of RCS Sports & Events.
"His expertise, combined with his in-depth knowledge of the international cycling landscape, will enable us to take a further leap forward both in terms of race organisation and future development.
"We are confident that his contribution will be instrumental in consolidating our position as a global benchmark in the world of cycling."
