A new Sports Director with a wealth of experience, including in women’s cycling, is set to join UAE Team ADQ. Dutchman Michel Cornelisse, who will turn 60 on December 24, will arrive from Fenix-Deceuninck.
Born in Amsterdam and now living nearby in Zaandam, Cornelisse enjoyed a professional career from 1987 to 2000, claiming no fewer than 59 victories. Among the most notable were wins at the Nokere Koerse, the Tour of Luxembourg, as well as stage victories at the Tour of Austria and the Tour of Sweden.
After retiring from racing, he began his career as a sports director, first with a small club team before moving on to the professional ranks, where he guided some of the sport’s biggest names. He spent five seasons with Vacansoleil, followed by two years at MTN-Qhubeka – highlighted by Steve Cummings’ memorable stage win at the Tour de France – then two years with Roompot and one year with SEG Racing Academy. He went on to spend six very significant years within the Alpecin-Deceuninck structure: the first three with the men’s team, working alongside superstar Mathieu van der Poel and celebrating, among other successes, an Amstel Gold Race victory. Since 2023, he has been leading the women’s team Fenix-Deceuninck, gaining further valuable experience in women’s cycling.
Now, Cornelisse takes on a new challenge in the women’s peloton with UAE Team ADQ. “I chose to join this team because I could see how well organized it is. I hope that, with my experience alongside that of the staff and the other sports directors, we can become the best women’s team in the world, just as the men’s team already is,” Cornelisse said when speaking about his future role.
“I have participated in 15 Grand Tours with men’s teams, working with stage winners such as Mathieu van der Poel, Steve Cummings, Wout Poels, Tim Merlier and many others. I believe my strength lies in tactical and mental knowledge of racing and riders, and this is something important when combined with the work of the coaches. I strongly believe in race tactics and in one-to-one dialogue with the riders, analyzing what went well and what didn’t so that everyone can perform at their very best,” he added.
Starting in the 2026 season, the Dutchman will be one of the new sports director at UAE Team ADQ, bringing with him a wealth of experience and the ambition to continue adding to his already impressive career achievements.
