Following an illustrious 18-year career in the pro peloton, Heinrich Haussler will retire from cycling and transition to a Sports Director. He leaves the peloton with 22 wins to his name, including two Grand Tour stage wins at Tour de France and Vuelta Espana, while also winning the Australian National Championship.

The decision comes following a routine annual UCI cardiac screening in December 2022, when the Medical Team at Bahrain Victorious noticed that Heinrich Haussler’s screening had changed from his previous screenings. This prompted a review by specialists in Germany and Italy. 

After undergoing further cardiological investigations, there were various treatment options discussed with Heinrich. At 39 years old, and after a successful professional career in cycling, it was decided that the risks associated with continued elite level sport participation were greater than the benefits. Heinrich will continue in cycling as a Sports Director, where his knowledge, experience and passion for cycling will help to guide future generations of professional cyclists. 

Heinrich Haussler reflects on his career and moving forward:” I started my career in 2005, and I’ve been a pro for 18 years and I’m now 39 years of age. I Started cycling at 6 and moved to Germany when I was 14 with that dream of becoming a professional cyclist.

This sport is something that has grown on me, and I’m super passionate about, it’s become my lifestyle, and it will live with me forever, the memories and the people I’ve met and the places that I’ve seen.

If I look back now, there are tears of joy along with a sadness that I have to stop, but I’m happy and in the last 4-5 years at my age, I think I’ve got the most out of the sport and helped share my experience with the boys. So when I do stop, I’ve been able to say I gave everything and can move on to the next stage of my life.

I want to stay in this sport, and I want to become a Sports Director which is something I’ve been planning for in the last 3-4 years and at the end of every year I had to decide if I wanted to move to the car or keep riding, and my passion for the sport always kept me out there. I probably would have tried to continue living that dream into my 40’s as it’s never been a job to me, I’m fortunate enough to have made a career from my hobby. There is a lot I can look back on and be happy with what I’ve achieved in cycling.

Now I look to the next chapter on helping the new generation and sharing my experience, especially in the classics or lead-outs. There is no better feeling when the planning pays off, and you can help the guys pull off a big win. Like when Sonny won Roubaix, it was one of my proudest moments, and it’s hard not to hold back the tears thinking about that day and that experience will keep that group of riders together.

So, later on in my career, I want to help build that togetherness and team spirit. Having guys around you that are working for you and sacrificing opportunities for the one leader and celebrating a victory like that.

Now the decision to stop has been made for me, and I have had the chance to look back on all the great memories in my career and getting to spend more time with my family. I’m happy I can move on and make the next step of my life and transition as a Sports Director.”

Bahrain Victorious would like to thank Heinrich for his time as a rider with the team, where he shared his invaluable experience and passion, which was felt across the staff and riders and I look forward to helping him transition to his next role in the team car.

(All pictures can be used for editorial and non-commercial usages only and are copyright @charlylopez n.1 @Sprintcycling n. 2-3 @TeamBahrainVictorious)