Alpecin-Premier Tech and Van der Poel unveil new rest day kit, and a major Adidas deal

It has become a tradition for Alpecin-Premier Tech to pay tribute to Raymond Poulidor during the Tour de France. At first, they did this with a special jersey during the early stages; later, it became a jersey worn on the rest day. Now they’re doing something similar again, but there’s also something else to celebrate: the team has signed a big deal with Adidas.

The tribute to Poulidor is an initiative that was launched in 2021. The Merci Poupou Foundation is a charity dedicated to helping children around the world who participate in sports. So far, they have raised over 600,000 euros. This year, Alpecin-Premier Tech once again unveiled a jersey during the rest day of the Tour de France.

The jersey is white, black, and pink, a nod to the jersey Poulidor wore for Mercier. Poulidor is the grandfather of Mathieu van der Poel, team leader of Alpecin-Premier Tech. The Dutch rider is showing off the jersey, which also features a special cycling cap with the words “merci Poupou” on it.

Philip Roodhooft, team manager of the Belgian team, had the following to say in a press statement:“Merci Poupou reflects the values that Raymond Poulidor stood for: passion, perseverance, and generosity. Thanks to the incredible support of our riders, partners, and fans, the initiative has already raised more than €600,000 since 2021. We are proud of what we have achieved together and hope that this year’s campaign will once again inspire people to support these important causes.”

While the tribute to Poulidor was launched five years ago, the deal with Adidas is brand new. The apparel brand will become Alpecin-Premier Tech’s official partner for casual wear. “At Alpecin-Premier Tech and Fenix-Premier Tech, we believe that the strongest partnerships are built on shared ambition. Adidas is one of the world’s most iconic sports brands, with a rich history of innovation and excellence,” says Roodhooft.

He’s absolutely thrilled that a giant like Adidas is teaming up with his team. “We’re proud to welcome adidas as a partner and look forward to being part of the adidas family. Together, we look forward to building a long-term partnership that helps our athletes reach their full potential every day.”

Fenix-Premier Tech, the team’s women’s division, will also wear the apparel. “We are delighted to partner with the Alpecin-Premier Tech and Fenix-Premier Tech cycling teams,” says Kerryn Foster, general manager of the sports division at Adidas. “We’re proud to see our brand represented by two teams that are gaining more and more confidence on the international circuit, with their world-class cyclists—such as Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen, Charlotte Kool, and Puck Pieterse—in the spotlight.”