Lanterne Rouge Cycling Podcast Alpecin - Premier Tech 2026 Preview
Dec 26, 2025
Patrick and Benji dive into the future of Alpecin - Premier Tech, analyzing team dynamics and key player training camps. They discuss high-profile departures and new signings, debating their impact on the squad's performance. The spotlight shines on Jasper Philipsen and the rising talent Senna Remain. The hosts set ambitious race goals while weighing the importance of Van der Poel's role. With bold predictions floating around, the banter is as lively as the cycling world they follow!
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Team Built Around Two Superstars
- Alpecin–Premier Tech is built around two stars: Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel, shaping race targets and team structure.
- That focus yields classics and stage wins but makes the squad vulnerable if either star misses races or form.
Spotting Philipsen At Tenerife
- Benji Naesen recounts bumping into Jasper Philipsen at Tenerife airport and noticing Philipsen self-organised a December training camp.
- The story illustrates top riders sometimes arrange their own winter preparation rather than attend team camps.
Mass Exodus Of Domestiques Creates Gaps
- The team lost many valuable domestiques (11 riders), creating continuity gaps for races like Tour of Flanders and Roubaix.
- Those departures force Alpecin to reshuffle support roles and rely on younger signings to step up quickly.