Posted at 8:00 a.m.
(Copenhagen) Due to the resurgence of COVID-19 in Europe, Sylvan Adams and Jean Bélanger were unable to ride with the riders of their team, Israel-Premier Tech, on the eve of the start of the Tour de France in Copenhagen.
Before the opening press conference on Thursday afternoon, Adams barely touched Chris Froome with his elbow to greet him.
Imagine: sporting director Rik Verbrugghe tested positive upon his arrival in Denmark earlier this week. Israeli racer Omer Goldstein, who shared a taxi with him, had to pull out as a precaution.
This last minute renunciation allowed Guillaume Boivin to enter the scene, bringing to three the number of Quebecers who will participate in the Grande Boucle from this Friday, an absolute record. With Ontarian Michael Woods, they will be four Canadians, another historic high.
Adams and Bélanger, two bike maniacs, their tan lines testify, are obviously very proud of it.
“I have two nationalities, recalled Adams during a joint interview at their downtown hotel in the late afternoon. I was raised in Quebec and now I live in Israel. It is normal that we are the team of Canadians and Quebecers. »
Antoine Duchesne, of the French formation Groupama-FDJ, is the only Canadian who plays in another WorldTour team. But Adams, half-serious, half-joking, mandated Woods in the middle of a press conference to recruit him.
PHOTO BO AMSTRUP, FRANCE PRESS AGENCY
Sylvan Adams, co-owner of the Israel-Premier Tech (IPT) team
“He’s a very competent rider, more in the domestic category, but very good in his field,” he added later. As proof, he is in the Tour de France. So, yes, we are the natural place for him. »
The “natural place” for Canadians and Israelis is exactly what Adams and Bélanger want to create with Israel-Premier Tech (IPT). And not just cyclists: mechanics, sports directors, performance scientists, staff members, etc. Steve Bauer, whom Adams got to know while contributing to the defunct SpiderTech team in the mid-2000s, is incidentally one of three IPT sporting directors at the Tour.
Through sport, we create bridges between different societies, whether with Israel, a project I support, or with Canadians and Quebecers.
Jean Belanger, CEO of Premier Tech
“We want to allow these athletes to fulfill their potential, their ambitions,” added Bélanger. It’s at the heart of what has driven Sylvan for a long time and it’s also what has driven me for the years we’ve been in this sport. »
Officially, Adams, a philanthropist whose family made a fortune in real estate (Développements Iberville), is the owner of the team. Premier Tech has been the main co-sponsor since this year, after the abrupt end of a four-year association with Astana training, of which the company had become co-owner.
But Adams refuses to dwell on this distinction: “Jean and I are partners. We are partners. We’re going to reveal more of our business in relation to the team later. »
Before long, Premier Tech, which had nearly $1 billion in revenue in 2021, will become co-owners of the WorldTour roster.
“Like my company and like Sylvan, I’m a long-term guy,” insisted Bélanger. If we associate, it is not a one night stand or a matter of two, three years. »
It took something that can last 10, 15, 20, 25 years. A partner who had the financial capacity to support his ambition. This is certainly the case here.
Jean Bélanger, on his association with Sylvan Adams
A trying year
On the sporting level, IPT is having a difficult season despite a clearing up in recent times. Tested by COVID-19, illness and injury, the outfit are at risk of relegation to the second division next year.
Word of Sylvan Adams, it’s not gonna happen.
I give my personal guarantee that we will not end up below the relegation line.
Sylvan Adams, co-owner of the Israel-Premier Tech team
Unless there is a turnaround, it is not Froome, the team’s highest paid runner, who will get them out of this mess. The quadruple winner of the Tour has struggled to regain a competitive level since a serious fall during a warm-up at the Critérium du Dauphiné in 2019.
At a press conference, the 37-year-old Briton thanked Adams for hiring him the following year. “It’s not the way I wanted to end my career,” said Froome, still motivated by the conquest of a fifth yellow jersey.
PHOTO BO AMSTRUP, FRANCE PRESS AGENCY
Chris Froome, during a press conference before the start of the Tour de France, this Friday
Adams acknowledges having made a bet. “So far, I have to admit that our bet hasn’t exactly returned for the team. »
Frankly, the owner admitted having had a say in the presence of the 37-year-old Briton in the Tour workforce.
“Yes, because he didn’t deserve his selection as such. He had to get a result at the Critérium du Dauphiné. Unfortunately, he was ill. It did not allow us to see him in the high mountains. So we take a risk with him. »
Adams wants Froome, free from his ailments since January, to be able to shine in the second and third week of the Tour, which has always been his strength. “He’s a great champion, a gentleman, but I’ve never seen such a mentally strong guy. He suffered injuries that could have cost him his life. »
The 109e Tour de France kicks off this Friday afternoon (10 a.m. Montreal time) with a 13.2 km time trial in downtown Copenhagen.
It’s a start!
The 109e Tour de France kicks off this Friday afternoon (10 a.m. Montreal time) with a 13.2 km time trial in downtown Copenhagen. A duel between the Italian Filippo Ganna (INEOS) and the Belgian Wout Van Aert (Jumbo) is to be expected to obtain the first yellow jersey. Tadej Pogacar, the hyper favorite for victory in Paris, will he already announce his colors? Nothing to expect from Quebecers for this warm-up.
How to follow?
To the many readers who have asked the question: the Tour de France is broadcast in Canada on FloBikes, a site and application offered by subscription on the internet only. So there is no television broadcast. Audrey Lemieux and Tino Rossi Jr. will provide the description and analysis in French.