Highroad Exodus: Allan Peiper joins Garmin-Cervelo as competition director

PARIS (AFP) — Former professional Allan Peiper has joined Garmin-Cervélo as director of competition for 2012, the American cycling team announced Friday.

Peiper has spent the past several years as a sporting director with the Highroad team sponsored by Columbia then HTC, which will fold at the end of the season.

Peiper will work alongside the team’s CEO Jonathan Vaughters and the team’s sport directors on sport management and competition.

“We are thrilled that Allan will be working with us starting in 2012,” said Vaughters. “I have a tremendous amount of respect for what he’s accomplished, and I am excited by the experience he will bring to our team.”

Peiper, who famously left Australia in his teens to pursue his dream of becoming a professional in Europe, leaves one team with a reputation for having a strong anti-doping stance for one that shares those same ethical values. He is hoping to put his experience to good use.

“Garmin-Cervélo is a team that has had a lot of success, and more importantly, I share their philosophy on sport and innovation. They’ve always been at the forefront of change in the sport, and I respect that immensely,” said Peiper.

“I have had many great experiences over the last few years and I’ve learned a lot — I am very thankful for that and I look forward to this new chapter. For me, coming from a team that shares the same ideals, makes this an ideal move.”