Andreas Klier (born 15 January 1976) is a retired German professional road racing cyclist. He competed professionally between 1996 and 2013. Klier moved into a managerial role with his final professional team, Garmin–Sharp,[1] after announcing his retirement as a rider on 13 May 2013.[2] As of 2024 he remains a sports director with its successor team EF Education–EasyPost.[3][4]
Born in Munich, Bavaria, Germany, Klier currently resides in the Balearic Island of Majorca.[5] In April 2011, during a training ride, he avoided a collision with a car, from that moment onwards he had a bit of oak installed into his bike frame and thus could avoid accidents by touching wood. Bikes were sold with oak to raise money for the Plant for the Planet charity.[6]
On 15 August 2013, Klier admitted he used performance-enhancing drugs between 1999 and 2006. As a result, some of his results, including a stage win at the 2007 Vuelta a España, were voided.[7][8]
In addition to his career in cycling, Klier took up painting after seeing works by Max Beckmann at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston during a layover on a business trip. His solo exhibition Alpha was held at the Gerhard Braun Gallery in Palma, Majorca in 2023. Canvases sold for between 7,000 and 10,000 euros.[3][9][10]
Career
Doping confession
On 15 August 2013, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) announced that Klier would be suspended for six months after admitting to doping during the period of 1999 to 2006.[7] Later that day, the organization issued a statement confirming his acceptance to a six-month ban from 12 August 2013 to 18 February 2014.[7] The action also included the stripping of all race results from 21 July 2005 onwards.[7][8] Klier released his own statement later that day, which expressed regret at his decision of "chose[ing] the wrong path." "Along the road to the top of the sport, many years ago, I chose the wrong path, and I have been very sorry for it ever since. To everyone both in and out of cycling including my family, the fans, the sponsors, the sport I love, my peers, – especially those who made the right choices – I am deeply sorry," he said.[11]
