Lidl-Trek is pleased to announce the appointment of Dirk Baldinger as Sports Director for the Women's Team.
Baldinger brings a wealth of experience to the role. As a professional rider, the German competed at the highest level of the sport across nearly a decade, riding two editions each of the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España. Since retiring from racing in 2001, he has built a long career as a women’s sports director for more than a decade. Most recently, Baldinger held the role of Sports Director at Ceratizit Pro Cycling Team until the end of the 2025 season.
Baldinger joins a Women’s Team programme that continues to grow in ambition, working alongside Ina-Yoko Teutenberg and Jeroen Blijlevens, under the leadership of Fränk Schleck.
“I feel very inspired to be joining this team,” said Baldinger. “I’ve had a really warm welcome from everyone and it quickly feels like a family in this big team. I know Ina and Jeroen well and I think it’s impressive what they are doing here. I’ve been learning the system, how they work. They’ve welcomed me with open hearts and I’m very happy to join them, give my knowledge and support with my ideas and experiences. I have a lot of passion for women’s cycling and I think I can help to develop the team. My first races will be with Ina in the Navarra Women’s Elite Classic, followed by Itzulia Women and Durango-Durango Emakumeen Saria. I’m really excited to begin!”
