Experienced sporting director Alan Piper returns to UAE Team Emirates this season in the newly created position of "team analyst."

Along with the rest of the team staff, as sport director Piper is widely credited with playing a key behind-the-scenes role in Tadej Pogachar's 2020 and 2021 Tour de France victories.

The former professional battled cancer for several years and stepped away from his role last year to focus on his recovery.

Pogachar lost the Tour to Jonas Vingegaard in 2022 in Piper's absence, and the team's goal is to bring the Slovenian a third victory this season.

"The Tour de France is of course a big goal for 2023, and I will of course play a part in the preparations," Piper said, according to Sporza. He wasn't too involved in the negotiations, but he was very happy to have me back. I have always supported him and the team."

Team principal Mauro Gianetti said in a team statement, "When Alan was out of action for health reasons, I always said there was a place for him. When he called me, I was so happy to keep that promise: not because of the job, but because he was finally back to health." The team has grown in the meantime, but it is always a pleasure to have his experience and expertise close at hand."

Piper himself said, "We have stayed in touch over the past year and I thank Mauro and the team for giving me the opportunity to return. [I won't be on the car as much as before, but I will be able to focus on a few specific elements and provide feedback to the sports department.

After Pogachar's second Tour de France win, Piper said he was leaving the sport to fight cancer. However, the former professional, who had worked as a director for BMC, Lotto, and HTC-Highroad, did not rule out a return to the team.