As part of its ONE 2024–2030 strategic plan, the DECATHLON CMA CGM team is taking a new step forward in its development with the creation of its women’s team, starting in the 2027 season.
Supported by its title sponsors, DECATHLON and CMA CGM, as well as major partner Van Rysel and official partners Adecco and SHINE by Cegid, this project reflects their shared ambition to promote equality and performance.
The women’s team will join the NewGen program, led by Guillaume Bonnafond, which already brings together the Junior and Continental teams.
Based in La Motte-Servolex, in Savoie, the team relies on its Performance Center to provide training through the NewGen program, a central pillar of its development strategy. Working closely with the French Cycling Federation and its President, Michel Callot, the team is helping a new generation of female cyclists rise to the top of the global cycling scene.
The team will begin its journey in the ProTeam category, the second tier of international competition.
Composed of 12 riders, the team will be supported by an experienced staff that includes a sports director, a coach, two athletic assistants, two mechanics, a Doctor, a physical therapist, a nutritionist, and physical and mental trainers.
The team will also benefit from resources shared with the men’s team, giving it access to the full range of expertise offered by the Performance Center. Like the men’s WorldTour team, the women’s team will be outfitted by Van Rysel. This structure was designed to provide athletes with top-level support, in line with the performance and development standards championed by DECATHLON CMA CGM.
Javier Lopez, President and Chief Executive Decathlon
"Proud to support the new women's team at the highest level"
“For Decathlon, the launch of our women’s cycling team in 2027 is a key milestone in our strategy. Thanks to the expertise of our Performance Center in Savoie, the NewGen initiative, and the technical know-how of our Van Rysel brand, we aim to provide these young riders with an exceptional ecosystem in which to grow and succeed. The innovations developed in the field alongside these athletes will directly inform the design of our products, making high performance accessible to all female cyclists. We are committed to providing this team with the best possible conditions for success. With humility and determination, we are particularly proud to support women at the highest level.”
Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive the CMA CGM Group
"Guiding a new generation of female runners to the highest international level"
“The creation of the DECATHLON CMA CGM women’s team is part of the long-term vision we share with Decathlon and all of our partners.
Through this team, we aim to support a new generation of female cyclists as they reach the highest international level and, more broadly, contribute to the growth of women’s cycling.
This initiative reflects CMA CGM’s commitment to supporting female talent by providing them with the best conditions to develop and build lasting success.”
Dominique Serieys, Chief Executive the Decathlon Cycling Team
"Building a major landmark in cycling"
“The launch of our women’s team marks a decisive step in the development of our strategic plan. It is fully in line with our commitment to building a leading force in cycling, embodied by a diversity of talent and driven by collective ambition.
This new team builds on the momentum we’ve established and strengthens our organization. It will enable a new generation of riders to reach the highest level and establish themselves there for the long term. It also fulfills the vision shared by our shareholder and our partners.”
Guillaume Bonnafond, Head of NewGen
"To provide young talents with an environment conducive to their development"
“Our ProTeam women’s team project is entering the final phase of its launch. Building on the NewGen model, we aim to bridge the gap between the youth categories and the WorldTour, the world’s highest level of competition. Our philosophy is rooted in development and talent identification: we want to offer young talents from road racing, cyclocross, and mountain biking an environment conducive to their growth. The goal is to build a sustainable team that will join the WorldTour circuit in the coming years.”
This launch is part of a broader trend in the evolution of women’s cycling, driven by a growing audience (26 million viewers tuned in to the 2025 Women’s Tour France, an increase of 7.4 million compared to 2024) and a sharp rise in the number of licensed female cyclists in France (up 23% from 2023). The rise of women’s competitions, the arrival of new partners, and the gradual professionalization of teams all demonstrate the sport’s growing potential on an international scale.
