Visma | Lease a Bike partners with AI company: "Helps us perform better"
Visma | Lease a Bike is partnering with Mistral AI, a fast-growing French start-up specializing in artificial intelligence (AI). Mistral AI will assist the team “to enhance performance, optimize decision-making, and gain a competitive edge in professional cycling,” according to a press release. The Mistral AI logo will also appear on the team's jerseys and vehicles.
Mistral AI is considered the European counterpart to major American AI companies like OpenAI and Google. Founded in 2023, it has quickly become one of the most valuable AI companies in Europe.
Constantly Searching for Improvements
“We are very proud to have an innovative company like Mistral AI as a partner of our team,” says CEO Richard Plugge. “At the highest level of cycling, it’s crucial to constantly push for improvement. Mistral AI applies the same mindset in its own field, and I’m convinced that by working together we can elevate each other to an even higher level.”
“We’re always looking for partners who help us perform better,” Plugge adds during a press moment including WielerFlits. “It’s always good to add a sponsor to the pyramid. The company is relatively new but growing fast. It’s one of the most innovative brands out there, which is why it fits us well. It’s a good collaboration for our performance. They are already further ahead in AI than we are.”
According to Plugge, Mistral AI can mean a lot for Visma | Lease a Bike. “We have been working together for a few weeks now. How can we become a better team? That’s what we’re working on,” says the team’s CEO, who cannot yet provide further details about the collaboration.
‘Unlocking the Full Potential of AI’
Patrick Broe, Head of Strategy at Team Visma | Lease a Bike, is also enthusiastic about the partnership. “Data is everywhere in contemporary cycling, making the smart use of AI essential to stay competitive,” he says in the press release. “Mistral AI is a world leader in helping organizations unlock the full potential of AI. That’s why we have high expectations for this collaboration to ultimately achieve success on the road together.”
According to Timothée Lacroix, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Mistral AI, the collaboration with Visma | Lease a Bike is a natural step. “Both organizations are driven by innovation, quality, and an unrelenting desire for success,” he says. “We are excited to bring our AI expertise to the cycling world and help the team reach new heights.”
