They got our support
Over the years, we have proudly supported a variety of organizations and charities. This is a tradition we cherish and will continue, as we believe in making a positive impact. Our involvement in these initiatives reflects our commitment to social responsibility and our desire to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
Kom op tegen Kanker
Kom op tegen Kanker is a socially committed organization that operates on several fronts in the fight against cancer: it defends the rights and interests of cancer patients, the right to the best treatment and care and the right of people to live in a healthy environment. To accomplish this, they set up care centers and provide financial support for scientific research, advocacy, education and prevention. This can only be achieved with the support from donations, fundraising events and legacies.
AFH Revalidatieweide
The Athletes for Hope opened a unique and beautiful Athletes for Hope Rehab pasture in the spring of 2021. This pasture is open to children with paralysis as well as all children with disabilities for either physical or mental rehabilitation.
The Rehab pasture is an oasis of tranquility, where the combination of nature and the warmth of miniature horse therapy has a healing effect on body and mind.
WAC Team
WAC Team is one of the oldest cycling clubs in Flanders, having been around for 80 years. The club has a strong heart for youth, has 125 members between the ages of 8 and 18, and runs entirely on volunteers.
WAC attaches great importance to the team spirit within the club. Everyone helps each other to develop within their possibilities. Values such as friendship, team spirit, respect, honesty, and passion are held in high regard. WAC team strives for gender equality and inclusion. Besides the boys, also girls and para-athletes are given the opportunity to develop their talent within the WAC Team.
Additionally, WAC Team's focus lies on a qualitative framework within a strong sports project, including participations in the most beautiful competitions at home and abroad, led by experienced and certified trainers and supervisors. Learning through play is key in their philosophy.
In doing so, WAC Team carries out the purpose of the Merci Poupou project: the passion for sport is passed on over generations, within a structure where everyone can find their place. To visually emphasize this, the riders of WAC Team wear the legendary 'Merci Poupou' colours.
Giro d'Italia Ciclocross
The Giro d'Italia Ciclocross is an overall stage challenge including a general classification held from October to January, in different Italian areas. Founded in 2008, now for sixteen years, the Giro d'Italia Ciclocross has been encouraging young Italian cyclists to discover cyclocross in a child-friendly environment.
This is what makes the Giro d'Italia Ciclocross a unique project. Where youth cyclocross was no longer existing in Italy 15 years ago, today over 250 Italian youngsters between 8 and 22 years old participate in each event of the Giro d'Italia Ciclocross, and this all over the country.
As cyclocross is at the grassroots of our team and since we hope for the cyclocross scene to live up again in the traditional countries, we chose to include the youth division into the MerciPoupou-project.
RSV Unna
RSV Unna is a German youth cycling team that was founded in 1968 by riders who wanted to start a new and modern club in the region. They have a total of 160 members, including 40 young athletes in the youth tanks. Their ages vary between 11 and 19 years and they are the organisation’s main focus. The development of young cyclists to become pro athletes has been the main goal of the organisation right from the beginning. RSV Unna has already produced several professional cyclists: Justin Wolf, Jon Knolle, Charlotte Becker, Michel Hebmann and many more.
During the corona period, they have provided alternative training so that their youth could continue to train. The Merci Poupou fund, just like RSV Unna, is committed to youth work. That is why we are pleased to support them with Merci Poupou Fund. Thanks to the support they will get from the Merci Poupou fund, they will be able to offer their young riders an even better service. They will be using their financial support for travel expenses and in equipment for their youth department.
LVM Saarland Trofeo
LVM Saarland Trofeo was founded in 1990 by Gerd Hufschmidt. In the early days this was a one-day race but over the years it has grown into a five-day stage race. LVM Saarland Trofeo puts their focus on the juniors. Each year they organize a junior race that takes place in Germany and that is part of the UCI Juniors Nations' Cup. This event is only possible thanks to the support of the involved municipalities, the police and the many volunteers who work with great enthusiasm and expertise.
