Cycling

WorldTour Premier Tech and Houle join Alpecin and van der Poel

Published

2 months ago

December 5, 2025

Paula

WorldTour Premier Tech and Houle join Alpecin and van der Poel

Premier Tech has found a new destination to display its colors in the WorldTour next year: the Belgian team Alpecin and its star rider Mathieu van der Poel. The Quebec multinational brings with it its long-time protégé Hugo Houle.

The large-scale operation, made official on Friday at a press conference in Antwerp (Belgium), allows the company based in Rivière-du-Loup to extend its deployment in advanced cycling since it will also be the co-sponsor of the Fenix-Premier Tech women’s WorldTour team.

“This collaboration reaffirms our desire to be present at the highest level of this sport, and confirms our commitment to cycling for the long term,” said the president and CEO of Premier Tech, Jean Bélanger, in a press release.

“We are joining one of the most successful teams on the world circuit with athletes whose reputation is well established, such as Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen and Kaden Groves for the men, as well as Puck Pieterse and Charlotte Kool for the women. The diversity, experience and depth of the team will allow us to accelerate the development of bridges at all levels of the sport, in addition to bringing out new talents. »

This announcement comes less than a month after Premier Tech’s surprise decision to end its co-sponsorship of Israel Premier-Tech (IPT), since renamed NSN Cycling Team and now operating under a Swiss license.

The training known since 2022 under the name Alpecin-Deceuninck therefore becomes Alpecin-Premier Tech from 2026 and until 2028, with a three-year renewal option. Deceuninck remains in the structure of the Belgian team founded by brothers Philip and Christoph Roodhooft, but in a reduced role.

After four seasons under the colors of Israel-Premier Tech, Houle will experience a “new start” with this Belgian squadron.

“My proximity to Premier Tech is no secret,” Houle recalled after the press conference for which he was present in Belgium. “From the moment they were taking a different path – and since there was an interest in me staying with them – the decision was quite simple to make. I am very happy with this new opportunity offered to me. »

The 35-year-old athlete sees this change very positively, which will allow him to put himself at the service of Van der Poel, one of the best riders of his generation with Tadej Pogacar and who has a world title and eight Monuments to his name (3 Tour of Flanders, 3 Paris-Roubaix, 2 Milan-San Remo). Belgian sprinter Philipsen. who raised his arms 10 times in the Tour de France, is the other great locomotive of Alpecin-Premier Tech.

“We are still joining a great team which has proven in the past to be capable of winning on the Monuments,” expressed Houle, “under contract next year and which maintains its intention to ride until 2027.” Not everyone can afford to do so and I hope to be able to bring my experience and contribute to the success of the team. “

The Quebecer also expects to get more opportunities to play his personal card on grand tour stages, he who would like to add another success after that of Foix at the 2022 Tour de France.

Hugo Houle does not hide it, the last few months have been trying with IPT, the object of the anger of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, which ultimately led to the departure of Premier Tech. The native of Sainte-Perpétue was marked by the protests surrounding the Quebec cycling Grands Prix in September. After the Montreal race, he had to be escorted by police.

“I am a runner, I want to have as much peace of mind as possible to be able to concentrate and be able to achieve the best in my sporting performance. It’s clear that there were difficult times. Returning to the hotel in a police car after a race, I had never experienced that before. »

As he did during his transfer from Astana to IPT in 2022, the year of his stage success at the Tour de France, Hugo Houle remains loyal to Premier Tech and to the man who became a friend in the person of Jean Bélanger. This will be his fourth training since his debut with AG2R La Mondiale in 2013.

Alpecin-Premier Tech will continue to be involved in cyclo-cross, mountain biking, gravel, three disciplines practiced by Van der Poel, as well as track.

Premier Tech is also involved with the French women’s ProTeam St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93, for which Quebecers Simone Boilard and Clara Émond will play next year, as well as Canadian champion Alison Jackson.

Source: lapresse

Paula

I am a sports journalist who has written for various websites and magazines. I currently work as an author at Sportish, a news website that covers sports news. My main focus is writing about soccer, rugby and other sports in the world.

Cycling

Hugo Houle is excited about next season in his new team

Published

1 week ago

January 14, 2026

Paula

Hugo Houle is excited about next season in his new team

Hugo Houle was about to begin his winter training for the next season when he learned at the beginning of December that he would be racing under new colors in 2026.

After four years with the Israel-Premier Tech team, the 35-year-old Quebecer made the jump to Alpecin-Premier Tech, where he will notably find stars Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen.

It was therefore with additional motivation that he began to work harder in training two weeks later with his new bike.

“Training is going well despite the weather being a little colder these days,” Houle said during a recent telephone interview with The Canadian Press from his home in Monaco.

“The bike is going very well, I’m happy,” he continued. It handles well, it is very responsive. This is the biggest difference between this one [Canyon] and my old [Factor]. It’s really pleasant going downhill. »

Since 1^er January, Houle has already covered more than 1,100 kilometers and climbed more than 20,000 meters of elevation gain in 12 days. This hard work will allow him to show off his new jersey with confidence on the 1st^er next February, at the La Marseillaise cycling Grand Prix, in France.

“I knew it was a possibility that I would participate, but I only had confirmation five minutes before our conversation,” Houle said with a certain excitement in his voice. I’m very happy, it’s not far from home and it’s a race that I know well and which suits me. »

Houle started this race six times during his career and finished in the top 20 three times, signing his best result in 2016 with a 13^eplace.

He will then participate in the Étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard, a five-stage race which will take place from February 4 to 8 in France. He finished eighth overall in 2023.

It is still too early to talk about what awaits Houle in terms of the three major cycling tours (Tour of Italy, Tour of France and Tour of Spain) this year, but he is excited by the opportunities that could present themselves to him.

The team has plenty of strong riders to support Mathieu van der Poel on the monuments. But they don’t necessarily have grand tour riders, so that should allow me to make the most of my qualities as a rider who likes breakaways to try to win a stage.

Hugo Houle

That said, Houle is also excited about the idea of racing alongside Van der Poel and Philipsen, two riders who start every race, or almost, with victory in their sights.

“It’s definitely stimulating,” he admitted. When you have riders who are important in the race, you ride differently. You take control of the race and stay active. This is another race configuration that could be interesting. »

Eyes fixed on Montreal

Houle is expecting a good season with Alpecin-Premier Tech, but it is also the year of the UCI Road World Championships Montreal 2026, which will take place in September.

And he makes no secret of it, the objective is to appear at the top of his form.

“It’s one of the main objectives of the season, that’s for sure,” he said. The goal will be to be at 110% when the time comes. »

Houle does not yet know whether he will participate in the Quebec and Montreal cycling Grands Prix or the Tour of Spain in the preceding weeks, but with the World Championships in sight, participation in a grand tour would be preferable, according to him.

“The Vuelta starts from Monaco this year, so it’s tempting,” he explained. Normally, I’m always in the best shape after a big tour. I think it would be ideal to prepare for the World Championships. »

A change of team, new teammates, a new bike, new challenges, World Championships at home… 2026 promises to be busy and it’s not the athlete from Sainte-Perpétue who will complain.

“It’s motivating, I can’t wait for it to start,” he concluded.

Source: lapresse

Paula

Cycling

Alpecin-Premier Tech Hugo Houle excited about next season in his new team

Published

1 week ago

January 14, 2026

Paula

Hugo Houle was about to begin his winter training for the next season when he learned at the beginning of December that he would be racing under new colors in 2026.

After four years with the Israel-Premier Tech team, the 35-year-old Quebecer made the jump to Alpecin-Premier Tech, where he will notably find stars Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen.

It was therefore with additional motivation that he began to work harder in training two weeks later with his new bike.

“Training is going well despite the weather being a little colder these days,” Houle said during a recent telephone interview with The Canadian Press from his home in Monaco.

Houle started this race six times during his career and finished in the top 20 three times, signing his best result in 2016 with a 13^eplace.

He will then participate in the Étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard, a five-stage race which will take place from February 4 to 8 in France. He finished eighth overall in 2023.

Hugo Houle

That said, Houle is also excited about the idea of racing alongside Van der Poel and Philipsen, two riders who start every race, or almost, with victory in their sights.

Eyes fixed on Montreal

Houle is expecting a good season with Alpecin-Premier Tech, but it is also the year of the UCI Road World Championships Montreal 2026, which will take place in September.

And he makes no secret of it, the objective is to appear at the top of his form.

“It’s one of the main objectives of the season, that’s for sure,” he said. The goal will be to be at 110% when the time comes. »

A change of team, new teammates, a new bike, new challenges, World Championships at home… 2026 promises to be busy and it’s not the athlete from Sainte-Perpétue who will complain.

“It’s motivating, I can’t wait for it to start,” he concluded.

Source: lapresse

Paula

Cycling

Hugo Houle feverishly ahead of next season

Published

1 week ago

January 14, 2026

Paula

Hugo Houle was about to begin his winter training for the next season when he learned at the beginning of December that he would be racing under new colors in 2026.

After four years with the Israel-Premier Tech team, the 35-year-old Quebecer made the jump to Alpecin-Premier Tech, where he will notably find stars Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen.

It was therefore with additional motivation that he began to work harder in training two weeks later with his new bike.

“Training is going well despite the weather being a little colder these days,” Houle said during a recent telephone interview with The Canadian Press from his home in Monaco.

Houle started this race six times during his career and finished in the top 20 three times, signing his best result in 2016 with a 13^eplace.

He will then participate in the Étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard, a five-stage race which will take place from February 4 to 8 in France. He finished eighth overall in 2023.

Hugo Houle

That said, Houle is also excited about the idea of racing alongside Van der Poel and Philipsen, two riders who start every race, or almost, with victory in their sights.

PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES

Hugo Houle

Eyes fixed on Montreal

Houle is expecting a good season with Alpecin-Premier Tech, but it is also the year of the UCI Road World Championships Montreal 2026, which will take place in September.

And he makes no secret of it, the objective is to appear at the top of his form.

“It’s one of the main objectives of the season, that’s for sure,” he said. The goal will be to be at 110% when the time comes. »

A change of team, new teammates, a new bike, new challenges, World Championships at home… 2026 promises to be busy and it’s not the athlete from Sainte-Perpétue who will complain.

“It’s motivating, I can’t wait for it to start,” he concluded.

Source: lapresse

Paula