Decathlon AG2R - La Mondiale could need a thread

[Armchair Cyclist]

So the sponsor rumour was nor a true match nor infallible

https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/cyclisme/decathlon-ag2r-la-mondiale/cyclisme-ag2r-remplace-par-loreal-lequipe-decathlon-va-changer-de-co-sponsor-en-2026-79226ad4-46ba-11f0-be2d-492a352fc811

So they finish the report denying that L'Oreal will be a new sponsor by saying "alors que Decathlon-L’Oréal devrait aussi accueillir le grimpeur d’Israel-Premier Tech Matthew Riccitello la saison prochaine."

 

[Alexandre B.]

Dominique Serieys will be one of the "stars" of the next Netflix Tour de France show.

And not in a good way, that I can promise.

 

[pastronef]

Dominique Serieys will be one of the "stars" of the next Netflix Tour de France show.

And not in a good way, that I can promise.

the thin skinned French fans of the Holy Church of FDJ will like that

 

[Rob5091]

Babs is wielding the knife apparently (any woman with a cojones award and wielding a knife is to be ... errm ... given some space!) - and no fewer then 10 guys are being rumoured to be shown the door. This of course is supposed to mean that some new big hot shots are on their way in. Time will tell!
https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling...iale-team-set-for-huge-overhaul-ahead-of-2025

From what was said when Luke Rowe joined them it seems Team Babs are ramping up for the one day classics. Must be hoping Pogi & MvdP get bored soon!

 

[Rob5091]

Contract ahoy! Team Babs get a nautical companion -
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/de...le-sponsor-in-step-towards-super-team-status/

The Decathlon AG2R team have announced shipping giant CMA CGM as a new five-year title sponsor starting in 2026. The new sponsorship will help the team raise the team's budget to close to 40 million Euro. ... “CMA CGM’s commitment alongside Decathlon marks a decisive step in our 2030 strategic plan, which aims for the highest level on the global stage," team manager Dominique Serieys said after a final singing ceremony in Marseille during the Tour de France rest day.

 

[Tim Cahill]

Contract ahoy! Team Babs get a nautical companion -
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/de...le-sponsor-in-step-towards-super-team-status/

This is a disaster, I had all my shampoo gags written down and stored away

I guess we will just have to change course

 

[Rob5091]

This is a disaster, I had all my shampoo gags written down and stored away

I guess we will just have to change course

Time for the "Il pirata" gags instead! Trim the main mast, raise the Jolly Roger and heave to, you landlubbers!

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

So Decathlon CMA CGM AG2R.

This could be the sign for Sean Kelly to retire from commentary

 

[RedheadDane]

So Decathlon CMA CGM AG2R.

Wasn't part of the "issue" that AG2R (the sponsor) is leaving?

 

[Boehmand]

This is such a weird sponsorship to me.

What on earth does CMA CGM - which is strictly a business-to-business operation specifically catering to logistics companies, gain from sponsoring a cycling team?

But I hope I am missing something, because that means we can finally get Maersk to fund a Danish WT team

 

[tobydawq]

So Decathlon CMA CGM AG2R.

This could be the sign for Sean Kelly to retire from commentary

Too bad Decathlon don't brand as DCTHLN.

 

[RedheadDane]

Random thought I had while watching stage 18.

They seemed rather active, and I wondered if that was a desire to basically "reclaim" their jersey after the incident on stage 17.

 

[Rob5091]

Good day for Team Babs - 1st in Poland and 2nd in Burgos.

 

[RedheadDane]

They're on fire these days!






(Figuratively speaking... I hope...)

 

[Dazed and Confused]

The rise of the French machine......

 

[RedheadDane]

They aren't even racing in the ARN, and they still managed to "get" a top-10...

(Gudmestad riding for the Norwegian National Team finishing 8th)

Hold on!
I've been wondering what's going on with Pelle Køster - mainly because I, rather randomly, decided to put him on my CQ team - and...
Maybe they sacrificed him?!

 

[Rob5091]

Guys in the break and guys winning so Team Babs CCCP CPU have upped their game. We're still waiting on all the new signings for next year, but they've got some good young uns already.

 

[tobydawq]

Having three leaders jersey in three different stage races at the same time seems insane. I wonder how many times that has ever happened before.

 

[hayneplane]

Any news on why Seixas dropped out from being listed to race this week.

 

[Gratemans]

Ag2r, just like LidlTrek have clearly been on the rise for two years now.

 

[RedheadDane]

Any news on why Seixas dropped out from being listed to race this week.

He got sick.

 

[pastronef]

eheh, some French FDJ fans on twitter are not amused I see

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

eheh, some French FDJ fans on twitter are not amused I see

Can I ask why?

 

[Rob5091]

NOOOOOOO! Team Babs is no more! It's actually now Team Javier CPU RTVE or something like that ..back in March -
https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/03/decathlon-new-ceo/

Decathlon has appointed Javier López as its new chief executive officer, replacing Barbara Martin Coppola, who held the role since March 2022.

López, who has been with the sports specialist for over 26 years, previously served as the executive director in charge of Decathlon’s global value chain, a position he took on in 2022.

His appointment comes shortly after Julien Leclercq, son of Decathlon founder Michel Leclercq, was named chairman of the board.

Boardroom machinations give Babs the boot and appoint insider to lead the team.

 

[pastronef]

Can I ask why?

there's small hard core pocket of FDJ fans in France, I call them the fans if the Holy Church of FDJ. when FDJ wins, well, that's good, that's right and deserved. when Decathlon won in these last 2 years they are jealous and unhappy. how dare they, FD Jis the God chosen team, but now Decathlon does much better, and it's a more international team. some fans dislike that