VAN RYSEL launches Rising Squad, its program to boost six young triathlon talents
VAN RYSEL Rising Squad is the new development program with which the French brand wants to support six young international triathletes between the ages of 14 and 18 in their leap towards the elite.
The initiative combines high-performance equipment, mentorship with established athletes, and academic and professional support, with a very clear underlying goal: that at least two members of the program will compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
A program designed for a critical phase in a triathlete's career
The transition from development categories to elite levels is often one of the most challenging moments in the progression of many triathletes. This is due not only to the demands of the sport itself, but also to the costs, the need for structure, and the difficulty of balancing training, studies, and taking the first steps on the international circuit.
That's where VAN RYSEL wants to place its new project. Rising Squad It is not conceived as a classic sponsorship, but as a broader development environment in which the material, technical guidance and professional support are all part of the same process.
What does VAN RYSEL Rising Squad offer?
The program is based on two main components. The first is the sporting aspect. The six selected young people will receive an equipment package similar to that used by the professional teams associated with the brand, including bicycles. RCR-R Pro y RCR-F Proas well as clothing, helmets and footwear.
In addition, there is a technical training component with sessions on mechanics, nutrition and digital image management, an aspect that is increasingly present in the career of any athlete who aspires to grow at a high level.
The second group looks beyond immediate performance. VAN RYSEL also proposes academic and professional supportwith access to internships and an internal network of mentors to introduce young people to fields such as engineering or sports design.
Three mentors with a presence in the international elite
The 2026 cohort will be mentored by three established names in international triathlon: Leonie Periault, max-stapley y Chase mcqueenThe idea is that this support will help accelerate competitive learning and also provide real-world references for athletes who are still in the early stages of their development.
In a sport where many talents fall by the wayside before establishing themselves, having a structure of this type can make a significant difference in the evolution of the coming years.
The six young people chosen for the first graduating class
The first group of VAN RYSEL Rising Squad consists of Oscar Delecroix, Léni Remer-Mancini, Lucas Gorrill, Jasmine Kropkó, Eliot Delecroix y Antonin Mathieu.
The selection reinforces the idea of a long-term, international project, with an eye not only on immediate results, but also on building a solid foundation for the future.
More than a branding operation
VAN RYSEL's entry into this arena also sends a clear message. The French brand not only wants to gain a foothold in triathlon through its equipment, but also to participate earlier in the talent development process.
This move fits with an increasingly visible trend in endurance sports: brands are no longer just competing to be among the elite, but also to identify and support athletes who could occupy that space within a few years.
If the program achieves continuity and results, Rising Squad It could become an interesting benchmark within youth and international triathlon. Because in a sport where maintaining progress during the crucial years isn't always easy, creating a structure is also a way to compete.
