According to team Sky’s official website, Gabriel Rasch, who joined Sky Procycling for 2013 season will end his career after the 2014 spring classics and assume the role of sports director. The 37-year-old Norwegian has not only contributed to this year's Chris Froome successful campaigns and helped Edvald Boasson Hagen's defense of the Tour of Norway, but willingly passed the experience and shared an advice with other team members on and off the bike.

Speaking of his move, Rasch said: “I'd always hoped to become a Sports Director once my riding days had come to a close and this is a big chance for me to do what I’d love to do with a team that I love.

"It’s great that Team Sky give riders like me a chance to develop and I’d like to thank Sir Dave Brailsford and the management for all their support. I’m looking forward to repaying their trust in me.

“I have good relationships with my team-mates, management and the coaching staff and I’m sure they’ll help make my move to a Sports Director as smooth as possible.

 “However, I’m not hanging up the bike just yet; I plan to fight for my place up until Paris-Roubaix and after that I will become a full-time DS for the team. I can’t wait to get started”.

Team Sky Performance Manager, Rod Ellingworth, appreciates the role of mentor that Gabriel Rasch played to less experienced members of the team during the past season. Commitment and ease of sharing experiences have had a decisive impact on the decision to hire the Norwegian in the new position, which fully corresponds to his ambitions.

“We recognised early on that Gabba had a lot of the qualities that we look for in a Sports Director. He has an excellent work ethic, great cycling experience, and a calm and considered approach. He knows exactly how the team works and we know he’ll do an excellent job for us.”

“Gabba will join the DS team fresh from the bike which will make all the difference and will help him settle in quickly. This is an opportunity for him to pass on the huge amount of racing knowledge that he has accumulated over the years and pass it on to the younger riders – which I know he will relish,” Ellingworth said.