- Michelin signs a strategic partnership focused on performance and Innovation
From 2026, Michelin will become an official technical partner of Team Picnic PostNL. The partnership marks Michelin’s return to top‑level road racing and reflects a shared ambition: to push the boundaries of performance through innovation.
More than a simple tyre supply agreement, the collaboration is built around a close technical partnership between Michelin’s specialists and the performance experts at Team Picnic PostNL.
The goal is clear: to prove Michelin’s capabilities in the most demanding conditions while co‑developing the next generation of technologies and tyres alongside a leading World Tour team. Staying true to its heritage, Michelin continues to use competition as a platform to accelerate innovation.
Competition as a spotlight for innovation
Team Picnic PostNL will race on Michelin’s latest high‑performance products-developed jointly by the team and Michelin-making their competitive debut in February. Ongoing feedback from the Men’s, Women’s and Development teams will support continuous optimisation, with a dual objective: to help deliver podium results today while driving the innovation that will shape tomorrow’s consumer tyres.
Vincent Ledieu, Director of the Cycling Program at Michelin, said: “By partnering with Team Picnic PostNL, Michelin is showing its support for the world of top-level road cycling. Working closely with the riders and the whole team allows us to better understand the demands of competing at the highest level. This partnership allows us to continue to develop innovative tyre technologies while supporting Team Picnic PostNL’s ambitions in World Tour competition.”
Team Picnic PostNL: a mixed and successful team on the World Tour
Team Picnic PostNL competes at the highest level of world cycling and competes in all World Tour races. In 2026, the Team has 28 Men, 17 Women and 16 Development riders, embodying a modern, mixed and ambitious vision of high-level sport. With several renowned riders in grand tours and classics, the team shares with Michelin common values of performance, high level and innovation.
Piet Rooijakkers, Team Picnic PostNL’s R&D expert, said: “Our partnership with Michelin allows us to have very high-quality equipment that is perfectly suited to the demands of the World Tour. By working closely with their engineers, we quickly turn user feedback and performance data into actionable improvements. This process of continuous learning and optimisation is essential for Team Picnic PostNL, and we see this collaboration as an important step in pushing performance to the next level.”
For more news and images, visit news.michelin.co.uk.
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About Michelin:
Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 175 countries and employs 129,800 people. (www.michelin.com).
