A Passion for Sports, Youth, and Cycling

André Champagne, President of Expertismed

After 25 years working in the healthcare field as a paramedic, André Champagne made a major shift in 2009. But this new direction wasn’t far from what had always driven him: serving others. In 2012, he founded his company, Expertismed, which has since become a leader in the repair, preventive maintenance, and calibration of medical equipment for both public and private hospitals across Quebec.

So what’s the connection between Expertismed and the Centre Multisports? A fair question. Beyond being a business owner and former paramedic committed to serving the public, André Champagne is, above all, someone who feels compelled to give back. His company recently partnered with the cycling division of Club Alliance to sponsor its activities.

A Calling to Give Back

The desire to help and make a difference in people’s lives has always been a core value for André Champagne. He grew up surrounded by community involvement and generosity:

“I come from a family that’s always given a lot to the community,” he recalls. “My father was heavily involved in things like holiday food drives. These are deeply rooted values for me. It’s in my DNA—I have to give back. It’s a necessity. It brings balance to my life.”

Before launching his company and gaining the means to give back, young André was deeply involved in sports, particularly triathlon. In the early 1980s, as the sport was emerging in Canada, he became passionate about it:

“I fell in love with triathlon,” says Champagne, who still rides between 5,000 and 10,000 km per year. “I was sponsored by a company in Lachine that provided solid support, and I consistently ranked in the top five or ten. I wasn’t the best in Quebec, but according to him, I was the best ambassador he could’ve had—I wore his colors proudly.”

That pride and respect for a sponsor’s identity remains central to Champagne’s message today—a message solidified during a recent visit to the Centre Multisports, where he decided to support young cyclists in the region.

An Inspiring Visit

During his visit to the Centre’s second-floor training space, Champagne was clearly impressed by the facilities available to cyclists:

“What really struck me,” he says, “was seeing the opportunity to work with young people and the environment they’re developing in. When Gilles presented the concept of the team and its partnership with the Centre Multisports, I thought, Wow—this speaks to me.”

Thanks to this sponsorship, the cycling section of Club Alliance will be better equipped to support athletes on their path toward excellence.

“When you talk to André, you immediately feel his passion for cycling and his genuine care for the athletes,” says Gilles Besner, Director of the Centre Multisports. “He truly believes in them. For our club, having a partner of this caliber—one who fully shares our vision and commitment to helping youth push their limits—is an incredible opportunity.”

Supporting Those Who Make a Difference

The slogan of Expertismed, “Serving those who make a difference,” echoes throughout Champagne’s reflections on the importance of sport in young people’s lives. As a former athlete, he knows firsthand how any form of sport can positively impact not just physical health, but life overall:

“It helps balance a person’s need to expend energy, to have structure, to focus,” he says. “For me, it’s active meditation. It helps me truly relax. When I leave work with my mind full and hop on my bike, I can let go of 90% of my stress—just by riding solo.”

Champagne invests in sports, yes—but more importantly, he invests in youth. In return, he expects them to carry forward the values he holds dear: pride, respect, and integrity.

“Athletes who are sponsored for a long time are those who know how to truly represent a brand—with respect. They respect the brand, themselves, their sport, and the environment around them. That’s the key value. An athlete can be highly competitive, but if they’re not respectful, they’ll quickly become isolated. I feel proud when I see a young athlete raising their arms at the finish line, helping a teammate, or staying fully committed to training—especially when they’re wearing Expertismed colors.”

Shared Values, Shared Vision

Ultimately, André Champagne is a passionate man who found a like-minded partner in Gilles Besner. Their values aligned naturally.

“The Centre Multisports represents the same values I believe in—engagement, integration, and respect. When I met Gilles, I immediately felt his passion. When I first visited the Centre, I felt a warm, structured environment—like a big cozy cocoon filled with great infrastructure. The people are welcoming, the atmosphere is warm, and there’s a lot of great energy.”

An energy that local cyclists can now carry with them in training and competition—strong, confident, and well-supported.