Women's sport is experiencing a phase of strong growth, with increasingly structured opportunities for athletes and a progressive consolidation of competitions at the highest levels. An evolution that is also reflected on the economic front: according to the latest Deloitte estimates, in 2026 global revenues from elite women's sport will reach at least 3 billion dollars, compared to over 2.4 billion recorded in 2025. Between 2022 and 2025, sector revenues grew overall by 248%.

A growth that finds concrete evidence in women's road cycling as well, where in recent years opportunities for athletes to compete within professional structures have progressively expanded. From 2025, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has introduced the UCI Women's ProTeams category, a second professional division between the UCI Women's WorldTeams and the UCI Women's Continental Teams. A new structure that aligns the model of women's teams with the men's model and allows a greater number of cyclists to benefit from a professional framework.

In its first season, 2025, the new category saw the registration of 7 UCI Women's ProTeams; overall, in the same year, 22 professional women's teams competed in the UCI International Road Calendar events. Numbers that testify to the progressive consolidation of an increasingly structured movement oriented towards growth.

It is in this scenario of professional women's cycling that DECATHLON CMA CGM is positioned, which starting from the 2027 season will debut with its new women's team in the ProTeam category, the second level of international cycling: in the coming weeks the roster will be officially announced, which will be able to count on 12 athletes.

Within the ONE 2024-2030 strategic plan, the birth of the team represents a new step in DECATHLON CMA CGM's development path. Supported by title partners DECATHLON and CMA CGM, main partner Van Rysel and official partners Adecco and SHINE by Cegid, the project reflects the shared ambition to promote equality and performance.

The team will be composed of 12 cyclists and integrated into the NewGen program, led by Guillaume Bonnafond, which already includes Junior and Continental teams. Based in La Motte-Servolex, the team will leverage the expertise of its own Performance Centre, making talent development one of the pillars of its growth strategy. In close collaboration with the French Cycling Federation and its President, Michel Callot, the project aims to guide a new generation of cyclists towards the highest levels of world cycling.

Supporting the 12 athletes will be an experienced staff composed of a Sporting Director, a coach, two sports assistants, two mechanics, a team doctor, a physiotherapist, a nutritionist and trainers dedicated to athletic preparation and mental performance.

The new team will be fully integrated into the DECATHLON CMA CGM structure and will have access to the entire ecosystem of expertise and resources of the Performance Centre, in a shared model designed to put every athlete in the best conditions to express their potential. Like the WorldTour team, the women's team will also be equipped by Van Rysel. An organizational model designed to offer athletes high-level support, in line with the performance and development standards promoted by DECATHLON CMA CGM.

PERFORMANCE AND CO-CREATION: ATHLETES' EXPERIENCE AT THE CENTER OF INNOVATION The project also represents an opportunity to strengthen dialogue and co-creation between athletes and the teams at DECATHLON and Van Rysel. The experience gained by cyclists in the most demanding conditions of professional competition, together with the technical and development expertise of the brand, will fuel a process of continuous exchange: athletes and teams will work side by side to test, develop and refine solutions and products, connecting high-performance needs with innovation.

Underlining the strategic value of the project for DECATHLON is Javier Lopez, Chief Executive Officer at Decathlon, who highlights the role of the Performance Centre, the NewGen program and Van Rysel's know-how in creating an environment capable of supporting athletes in their growth and, at the same time, fostering this path of shared innovation.

Javier Lopez, Chief Executive Officer at Decathlon: "Proud to support the new women's team at the highest levels"

"For Decathlon, the presentation of our women's cycling team in 2027 represents a fundamental milestone in our strategy. Leveraging the expertise of our Performance Centre in Savoy, the NewGen dynamic and the technical know-how of our Van Rysel brand, we aim to offer these young cyclists an exceptional environment in which to grow and succeed. The innovations developed on the road alongside these athletes will directly influence the design of our products. We are committed to offering this team the best possible conditions to win. With humility and determination, we are incredibly proud to support women at the highest levels."

The project stems from a shared ambition with CMA CGM, title partner of the team, which sees in the new team an opportunity to support female talent and contribute to the growth of women's cycling in the long term.

Rodolphe Saadé, Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM: "Supporting a new generation of cyclists to reach the highest international level"

"The creation of the DECATHLON CMA CGM women's team reflects the long-term ambition we share with DECATHLON and all our partners. Through this team, we aim to support a new generation of cyclists so they can reach the highest level of international competition, while also contributing more broadly to the continued growth of women's cycling. This initiative reflects CMA CGM's commitment to valuing female talent, offering athletes the best possible environment to develop and build lasting success."

The birth of the women's team is also part of a broader sports project, aimed at strengthening over time the structure of DECATHLON CMA CGM and its ability to guide diverse talents towards the highest levels of international competition.

Dominique Serieys, Chief Executive at Decathlon Cycling Team: "To become a reference point in cycling"

"The presentation of our women's team marks a decisive step in the development of our overall sports project. It aligns perfectly with our ambition to become a reference point in cycling, a brand founded on the diversity of talents and a shared ambition. This new team benefits from the momentum we have created and further strengthens our structure. It will allow a new generation of cyclists to reach the highest levels and establish themselves over time."

At the heart of the project is finally the NewGen program, into which the new team will be integrated and which aims to create a development path capable of guiding young cyclists from youth categories towards the highest levels of international cycling.

Guillaume Bonnafond, Head of NewGen: "To offer young athletes an environment for their sporting growth"

"Our women's ProTeam project is now entering its final phase. Following the NewGen model, we aim to bridge the gap between youth categories and the WorldTour, the highest level of this sport. Our philosophy is rooted in talent development and identification: we want to offer young athletes from road, cyclocross and MTB a tailor-made environment for their growth. The goal is to build a sustainable team capable of accessing the WorldTour circuit in the coming years."