DECATHLON CMA CGM to Launch Women's Cycling Team in 2027

July 29, 2026

As part of its ONE 2024–2030 strategic plan, the DECATHLON CMA CGM team is taking a new step in its development with the launch of its women's team, starting from the 2027 season.

Backed by its title partners, DECATHLON and CMA CGM, as well as main 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 be integrated into the NewGen program, led by Guillaume Bonnafond, which already includes the Junior and Continental teams.

Based in La Motte-Servolex, the team relies on its Performance Centre to make development through the NewGen program a central pillar of its growth strategy. In close connection with the French Cycling Federation and its President, Michel Callot, the team is supporting the emergence of a new generation of female riders towards the highest level of world cycling.

The team will begin its journey in the ProTeam category, the second tier of international cycling.

Comprising 12 riders, the team will be supported by an experienced staff including a Sports Director, a coach, two sports assistants, two mechanics, a team doctor, a physiotherapist, a nutritionist, and strength & conditioning and mental performance coaches.

The team will also benefit from shared resources with the men's structure, enabling access to the full range of expertise available at the Performance Centre. Like the men's WorldTour team, the women's team will be equipped by Van Rysel. This organizational model has been designed to provide the athletes with world-class support, in line with the performance and development standards upheld by DECATHLON CMA CGM.

Javier Lopez, Chief Executive Officer at Decathlon: "For Decathlon, the launch of our women's cycling team in 2027 is a crucial milestone in our strategy. Drawing on the expertise of our Performance Centre in Savoie, the NewGen dynamic, and the technical know-how of our Van Rysel brand, we aim to provide these young riders with an magnificent environment in which to grow and succeed. The innovations developed out on the road alongside these athletes will directly inform our product design, bringing high performance within reach of all female cyclists. We are committed to offering this team the best possible conditions for success. With humility and determination, we are exceptionally proud to support women at the highest level."

Rodolphe Saadé, Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM: "The creation of the DECATHLON CMA CGM women's team reflects the long-term ambition we share with DECATHLON and all of our partners. Through this team, we aim to support a new generation of female riders in reaching the highest level of international competition while contributing more broadly to the continued growth of women's cycling. This initiative reflects CMA CGM's commitment to empowering female talent by providing the best possible environment for athletes to develop and build lasting success."

Dominique Serieys, Chief Executive at Decathlon Cycling Team: "The launch of our women's team marks a decisive step in the development of our overall sporting project. It fully aligns with our ambition to build a leading name in cycling, shaped by the diversity of talent and driven by collective ambition. This new team builds on the momentum we have created and further strengthens our structure. It will enable a new generation of riders to reach the highest level and establish themselves there over time."

Guillaume Bonnafond, Head of NewGen: "Our women's ProTeam project is now entering its final phase. By following the NewGen model, we aim to bridge the gap between the youth categories and the WorldTour, the highest level of the sport. Our philosophy is rooted in development and talent identification: we want to provide young athletes from road, cyclo-cross, and MTB backgrounds with an environment tailored to their growth. The objective is to build a sustainable team capable of joining 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 followed the 2025 Tour de France Femmes, representing an increase of 7.4 million compared with 2024), as well as a significant rise in the number of licensed female cyclists in France (+23% compared with 2023). The growth of women's competitions, the arrival of new partners, and the gradual professionalization of teams all highlight the discipline's increasing potential on an international scale.