The Wolfpack will support the development of youth cycling at the biggest U23 stage race in the world.

Tour de l’Avenir and Deceuninck – Quick-Step are happy to announce that starting from this year, our team will become the official partner of the prestigious event that since its inception, in 1961, has proved to be a springboard for many riders at the beginning of their career.

Deceuninck – Quick-Step has a rich and impressive tradition when it comes to scouting and investing in emerging young talents – Julian Alaphilippe, Enric Mas, Florian Sénéchal and Petr Vakoč being just some of the riders discovered and promoted by us in the past couple of years – and for that very reason we decided to accept the proposition of Philippe Colliou, Tour de l’Avenir’s director, and start a partnership with the most important U23 race in the world.

The collaboration is set to kick off this year, when members of the team’s staff will attend the general briefing of the 56th edition in the presence of all the riders. This will be backed by a strong collaboration on social media to promote the race, its ethos, values and vocation as stepping stone to the professional world of cycling.

Set to take place in August, this year’s edition will be just the first step of a multi-year agreement that will see Deceuninck – Quick-Step provide logistical support in 2020 to a selection of young riders that otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to be on the start line of the Tour de l’Avenir.

“The commitment of Patrick Lefevere and his team confirms the interest and goodwill of cycling sport stakeholders towards the Tour de l’Avenir, which has unearthed so many champions since its creation in 1961 and is, even today, an important step for young talents, from all continents, on their way to the top level. Giving them the opportunity to succeed is our common guideline”, said Philippe Colliou, the race director of the Tour de l’Avenir.

“When Philippe Colliou approached us, we immediately accepted his invitation”, said Deceuninck – Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere. “Cycling isn’t just about winning races, but also about how you use your position to help the sport develop, and our team has an important role in the structure that is pro cycling. That’s why we accepted to give our support to the race, help it grow and become stronger one step at a time, and help as much as possible the next generation of riders.”

Tour de France overall leader Julian Alaphilippe – first Frenchman in 34 years to earn more than 10 yellow jerseys at a single edition – also shared his thoughts on this new and exciting partnership between our team and the race that has a special place in his heart: “I love the Tour de l’Avenir and I’m very glad that our team will support this beautiful event and the riders of tomorrow over the next couple of years. In 2013, I won a stage and the green jersey at L’Avenir, and the race proved to be an important step in my career, which I hope will be the case also for many other young riders.”

The 56th Tour de l’Avenir will take place between 15-25 August, from Aquitaine to the Alps.

www.tourdelavenir.com

Photo credit: ©Justin Setterfield/ Getty Images