The Decathlon AG2R team, which has employed several Estonian cyclists, will be named the new title sponsor by shipping giant CMA CGM, which has signed a five-year contract with the cycling team. The partnership will see the club's budget increase to nearly 40 million euros, with the aim of rising to the top five teams on the World Tour, i.e. achieving super team status alongside UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Lidl-Trek, Visma-Lease a Bike and Ineos Grenadiers.
The Tour de France will be focusing on 18-year-old French talent Paul Seixas. In 2027, the plan is to also launch its own women's team and continue with various junior teams.
CMA CGM is considered the third largest container shipping company in the world, with a turnover of $55 billion in 2024. The company operates in 160 countries, is headquartered in Marseille, has nearly 600 vessels and 160,000 employees.
"The merger of CMA CGM with Decathlon is a decisive step in our 2030 strategic plan, which aims to reach the highest level in the world," said Team Principal Dominique Serieys. "This ambition is fully embodied by both Decathlon and CMA CGM. They share a long-term vision, a strong culture of innovation and core values that help to promote France internationally. We are determined to write a new historical chapter in French and global sport."
Serieys has made significant changes to the team since he took over from Vincent Lavenu in 2024. The team will remain based in the Alps near Chambéry, but the lineup will become more international, with at least ten new riders expected by 2026. Dutch sprinter Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) is likely to join the team, as well as Tiesj Benoot. Kooij's team is likely to consist of Cees Bol, Daan Hoole and Tobias Lund Andresen.
Seixas, 18, competed in his first WorldTour season at the Critérium du Dauphiné and finished a high 8th overall. He was the 2024 junior world time trial champion and also won the Italian multi-day race Giro della Lunigiana. He is expected to lead the French team at this year's Tour de l'Avenir, and his Tour de France debut could come as early as 2026 or 2027.
