Premier Tech’s adventure in cycling is not over. Solicited by several teams the day after its surprise withdrawal as co-sponsor of Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) last week, the Quebec multinational could make a return to the highest level in 2026 or 2027.
The Belgian team Alpecin-Deceuninck, which counts in its ranks the stars Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen, would be the destination of choice for the company of Jean Bélanger and his family, according to two journalists connected to cycling.
“Reliable sources indicated that Alpecin-Deceuninck had already concluded an agreement with Premier Tech for 2026,” even reported the Irishman Daniel Benson last Sunday in an article published on his Substack page. This information was, however, denied by both parties.
Thursday, the Italian Ciro Scognamiglio, cycling specialist of the Gazzetta dello Sportwrote on X that Alpecin “is the most likely option for 2026” for Premier Tech. In the context where financial partners are becoming rarer in cycling, Soudal Quick-Step, Picnic PostNL, EF Education-EasyPost, Ineos Grenadiers and even Astana, co-owner of a WorldTour team with Premier Tech in 2021, would have solicited the interest of the Rivière-du-Loup multinational, according to a source from Daniel Benson.
“The only certainty we have, based on our discussions with several sources, is that Premier Tech aims to return in 2026 or 2027 as a high-profile sponsor of cycling,” he wrote. They will not lead their own team; rather, they aim to partner with an existing team and become a secondary sponsor. »
Premier Tech did not wish to react to what it describes as rumors and conjectures. “We’ve been in cycling for 30 years, we obviously want to continue to be involved,” said communications and public relations director Stéphanie Thériault on Friday afternoon.
At this point, we are in a period of reflection. We are looking at opportunities that may present themselves to continue our involvement in cycling, regardless of what level.
Stéphanie Thériault, communications and public relations director at Premier Tech
Alpecin-Deceuninck, whose second title sponsor had first indicated his intention to withdraw in the spring, is looking for additional funds to fill its ranks. Same thing for Ineos Grenadiers, which wishes to maintain its status among the richest teams while waiting for TotalEnergie to replace the British brands as main sponsor in 2027. Rumors sent the Canadian Derek Gee, in dispute with IPT since he announced the termination of his contract last summer, to Ineos next year.
Involvement in women’s cycling?
Furthermore, according to information from Daniel Benson, Premier Tech could join the French team St Michel – Preference Home – Auber93, whose women’s ProTeam will welcome Canadians Simone Boilard, Clara Émond and Alison Jackson next year.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Alison Jackson
“Women’s cycling is at the heart of our thinking and the team’s strategic planning,” said in The Press the president and CEO of Premier Tech, Jean Bélanger, upon his arrival with IPT in 2022. “It’s clear that we want to add this to the men’s component in the near rather than distant future. »
As for what is currently called “Cycling Academy”, an announcement must be made “in the coming weeks” regarding the new identity and its sponsors in 2026.
In the context of the war in Gaza, IPT was the target of multiple pro-Palestinian demonstrations during the Vuelta and other events. His participation in the Tour of Lombardy and two other Italian classics was canceled for security reasons in October.
Pending reintegration into the WorldTour, the training of Israeli-Canadian businessman and philanthropist Sylvan Adams would be licensed in Switzerland, according to Ciro Scognamiglio. Quebecers Guillaume Boivin, Hugo Houle and Pier-André Côté have a contract with Cycling Academy for next year.
