Decathlon CMA CGM Unveils Ambitious Cycling Plans: Targeting Grand Tours and Monument Wins
Decathlon CMA CGM, a French cycling team, has unveiled an ambitious plan for the 2026 season, aiming to win a Monument and target the Grand Tours, including the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, and the green jersey at the Tour de France. With the support of logistics giant CMA CGM, the team's budget has increased from €30 million to €40 million, and they have signed riders like Olav Kooij, Tiesj Benoot, and Matthew Riccitello to achieve these goals.
The team's ultimate goal is to win the Tour de France, with young home star Paul Seixas as a long-term project. However, for 2026, they are focusing on the other Grand Tours, with Kooij and the sprint project as key components. The team has also recruited riders like Cees Bol and Daan Hoole to support Kooij, as well as Mark Renshaw, Mark Cavendish's former teammate and sprint coach.
Despite Kooij's lack of opportunities at the Tour, the team is confident in their chances of winning a Monument. They aim for a top-five result at Paris-Roubaix and a victory in one of the big Monuments as early in the season as possible.
However, some concerns have been raised about the team's ability to achieve these goals. With a boosted budget, Decathlon CMA CGM has set lofty goals, but it remains to be seen how achievable they are. Some riders, like Felix Gall, who finished fifth at the Tour last year, may not get the chance to lead there again.
The team's approach to the season is to stay humble and respect their competitors. They aim to establish themselves in the world's top five teams and demonstrate their ability to race at the front and on all types of terrains with ambition.
The team's focus on the Tour de France is on winning the green jersey, with Kooij and the sprint project as key components. There is a possibility that young climber Paul Seixas could make his debut in July, but the decision is likely to be made later in the year.
The team also unveiled their new jersey on Thursday morning, adding a splash of red to their blue and aquamarine colorway from 2025.
