Lotto-Intermarché: 2 Teams, One Goal, One Identity

It was one of the major topics of 2025. The team Lotto, which competed this year as a Pro-Continental team in the second division of professional cycling, was so successful on a sporting level that promotion to the top tier (WorldTour) was within reach. However, the financial resources were barely sufficient to ensure the team’s continued existence.

This would have shaken the entire cycling world, as the team has existed since 1985 with Lotto continuously involved as a sponsor. Whether Soudal, DSTNY, or others joined as co-sponsors, Lotto always remained a constant! Legends such as Philippe Gilbert and André Greipel spent their best years here, and professional cycling without this team would be hard to imagine—especially since no one embodies the Belgian racing identity quite like they do!

However, with Intermarché-Wanty, another Belgian team faced the same challenge and was also on the brink of dissolution.

The two teams therefore entered into negotiations for a merger. For a long time, details were the subject of speculation: which license would be used? Which sponsors and suppliers would remain? The most delicate issue, however, concerned the riders. The UCI only allows 30 riders per team, and both teams had already reached this limit. Ultimately, the squad was formed from riders of both teams; some surplus riders found new teams, while others unfortunately had to end their careers.

Nevertheless, it was probably the only way to save at least one team. It is important for the team to demonstrate that both team identities have been preserved and combined to form a new, stronger one. With this new identity and team strength, past successes are not only meant to be maintained but expanded upon!

The Kit

The apparel supplier is carried over from Lotto. Since 2003, the team has placed its trust in Vermarc and has supported the brand in developing new products.

Through this exceptionally long partnership, both parties have fundamentally shaped one another, making a different supplier almost unimaginable—even during the merger. The brand is particularly proud to create special jerseys for national champions almost every year—jerseys earned by riders who have fought for the honor of wearing their national flag on their chest for a full year!

PRR (Race):

The PRR collection represents the brand’s high-quality, race-specific products. These items are specially developed for ambitious and competitive cycling and are used 1:1 by the professionals—indeed, they are even co-developed by them. That’s why we also call these products Race! A close fit, optimized aerodynamics, and perfect breathability are just some of the features that characterize each product. The bib shorts rely on the Endurance pad, designed to guarantee comfort even during the longest races such as Milan–San Remo or a three-week Grand Tour. We amateurs can definitely benefit from that level of comfort as well! True to a brand rooted in racing, great emphasis is placed on aerodynamics: the jerseys feature strategically positioned aerodynamic fabrics, and a Vermarc skinsuit even helped Victor Campenaerts break the Hour World Record!

SPL (Replica):

The SPL collection adopts the design of the professional teams and combines it with a slightly more relaxed fit to meet the needs of all fans. Functionality remains sophisticated, though not as uncompromising as the PRR products, making these items perfect for training or as fan merchandise. That’s why we call these versions Replica.