Decathlon women’s team will enter professional cycling at the start of the 2027 season, expanding the Decathlon CMA CGM project beyond its men’s WorldTour squad.
The new team will begin at ProTeam level, the second tier of women’s professional road cycling. Decathlon CMA CGM plans to launch with 12 riders, although the roster has not yet been announced.
Decathlon women’s team forms part of wider growth plan
The launch sits within Decathlon CMA CGM’s 2024-2030 strategic plan. That project aims to develop the French organisation into a major global force during its current title sponsorship cycle.
Team manager Dominique Serieys said the women’s squad represents a decisive step for the wider sporting project. He said the plan fits the team’s goal to build a leading cycling name around diverse talent and shared ambition.
In its first season, the women’s programme will operate inside Decathlon CMA CGM’s NewGen structure. That pathway already includes the organisation’s men’s junior and Continental teams.
The women’s squad will share the main backers of the men’s WorldTour team. Sports retailer Decathlon and logistics company CMA CGM will support the project, while Decathlon’s Van Rysel brand will supply equipment, including bikes.
WorldTour ambition targeted for the coming years
Decathlon CEO Javier López described the launch as a ‘crucial milestone’ in the company’s strategy. He pointed to the group’s Performance Centre in Savoie, the NewGen structure, and Van Rysel’s technical knowledge as key parts of the setup.
López said the company wants to give young riders an exceptional environment to develop and succeed. He also said Decathlon aims to provide the team with the best possible conditions for success.
Guillaume Bonnafond, who manages Decathlon CMA CGM’s NewGen pathway, set out the long-term target clearly. He said the objective is to build a sustainable squad capable of joining the Women’s WorldTour in the coming years.
The women’s team announcement follows a major period of expansion for the men’s squad. Founded in 1992 and previously known as AG2R La Mondiale, the team began its title partnership with Decathlon in 2024.
Since then, the men’s programme has increased its budget as it seeks to become a super-team. Its budget has grown from €30 million to €40 million in 2026.
The current men’s roster includes 19-year-old Paul Seixas, described as the team’s star rider. Seixas finished fourth at the Tour de France this month, while sprinter Olav Kooij also won a stage.
Decathlon CMA CGM’s move adds another men’s WorldTour-backed project to the women’s peloton. Four men’s WorldTour teams still have no public plans for a professional women’s team, or links to an existing squad.
Those teams are Bahrain Victorious, Netcompany-Ineos, NSN Cycling and Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe. Decathlon CMA CGM’s 2027 entry will therefore further reduce that gap at the top level of the sport.