33 year old to take position as assistant technical director with a focus on talent development
Recently retired Omega Pharma-Lotto domestique, Christophe Brandt, didn't have to wait long before he found his new post-racing career. According to Le Soir, the 33 year old will go to work for the Walloon Cycling Federation as assistant technical director with a special focus on talent development.
"My retirement resulted in a proposal that I found very interesting. My priority will be to work with young, motivated riders and to teach them something, it's my priority. Not necessarily for them to all become professionals, but if I can help them become better, it would be a success," said the hard working rider to Le Soir.
Brandt wrapped up an eleven year career this autumn at the Giro di Lombardia, a race he was able to go out in triumph in, as teammate Philippe Gilbert took a stunning second consecutive victory.
Brandt turned professional with the Saeco-Cannondale team in 1999. In 2001, he moved home to Belgium to race with the Lotto-Adecco team, and it was there that he rode out the rest of his career in the various iterations of the Lotto formation.
Brandt was by no means a prolific winner - he celebrated just one victory in his career, at the Druivenkoers in 2002 - but he also netted a solid 14th place overall at the 2004 Giro d'Italia along with the hardman honor of the most racing kilometers in 2009 - a mind-boggling 16,641 kilometers.