The DECATHLON CMA CGM team is pleased to announce the arrival of French biathlete Émilien Jacquelin to its NewGen program, effective May 1. A cycling enthusiast—a sport he has practiced since childhood and a cornerstone of his physical training—the four-time Olympic medalist is taking another step forward in his athletic career. Driven by a long-standing ambition and his close relationship with Sébastien Joly, the team’s competition director, Émilien Jacquelin joins the team with the goal of testing his physical potential against the demands of the professional peloton.
Émilien Jacquelin
“I want to live up to the team’s trust and make this childhood dream come true”
“This is a project that has been brewing in the back of my mind. While the 2030 Winter Games in France remain a goal, I now feel the urge to explore something new and compete at the highest level in cycling by joining the DECATHLON CMA CGM team. I’ve always cycled, whether in my youth or during my physical training, but from now on, every day will be a new challenge. I’m convinced that the training methods, nutritional guidance, equipment provided by Van Rysel, and the team’s rigorous structure will allow me to progress and reach a new level. I want to give 100%, with no half-measures. I am aware of the opportunity I have been given, and I am also committed to sharing my experience with the younger riders. I want to honor the team’s trust and live out this childhood dream with humility, because I know how demanding it is. I thank the team, and especially Sébastien Joly, for this wonderful opportunity.”
Jean-Baptiste Quiclet
“Give him the chance to try cycling with the team’s support”
“Émilien has always maintained close ties with the team, whether with the riders the coaching staff. Cycling is already a key component of his training for biathlon. In this post-Olympic year, the idea is to give him the opportunity to try his hand at cycling with the team’s support, so that he can develop his skills. This support will focus primarily on training, including guidance from a coach and a nutritionist, the provision of equipment, as well as a high-altitude training camp Arc 1950 with NewGen. We plan to conduct an evaluation cycle in late spring to better assess his profile: his explosive power in biathlon could very well make him an excellent sprinter on the road. We are banking on strong athletic potential and a high VO2 max, which, having already proven itself on skis, should come into its own on the bike.”
Guillaume Bonnafond
“A valuable asset for all our riders
“With NewGen, our mission is to foster well-rounded development by taking the time needed, particularly with riders other disciplines such as cyclocross. It is with this in mind that we are welcoming Émilien Jacquelin. The idea is for him to recover from his winter season before starting a comeback with an aerobic training cycle. Although he is a top-level athlete accustomed to heavy workloads, he will need to adapt to the long-duration efforts specific to cycling. His physical qualities and champion’s mindset will undoubtedly be a valuable asset for all of our riders.”
55
Key number
This is the total number of podium finishes (individual and team) earned by Émilien Jacquelin at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Biathlon World Cup. This record, which reached new heights during the 2025–2026 season, sets the standard for the sport: a four-time Olympic medalist, he won his first gold medal in the relay at Milan–Cortina, and has nine World Championship medals to his name (including five titles). He also has a small crystal globe in the pursuit event.
