He never won Paris-Roubaix like Marc Madiot. He has a lot less hair on his head and he’s not the type to constantly rant. But since this year, it is Thierry Cornec, 53, a complete unknown to the general public who will pilot the Groupama-FDJ team. Marc Madiot, its emblematic founder, will take a huge step back in the strategic decisions of the cycling team.
In the French team, long infused with Madiot’s Gaullist temperament, there is no question of talking about revolution. But the team will slowly change its spirit in a five-year project, decided by Thierry Cornec.
The new boss, through his atypical career, has signed to transform the team and bring it back into the world Top 10. 2025 was a disastrous year with only fifteen victories (none of which were in the sprint, which caused a lot of internal cringe) and an unworthy 18th place in the UCI rankings.
Cornec, a modest amateur cyclist, worked for a long time at Mavic, where he held several positions before moving to another equipment manufacturer, Lapierre, which supplied Groupama-FDJ bicycles. “In January 2024, I was contacted by a recruitment firm for a position as deputy general manager of a pro cycling team, without knowing which one,” says Thierry Cornec. Three months later, I was selected for an interview in Paris and I found myself face to face with Marc, whom I already knew. The current has therefore flowed very well. I was asked to bring structure to the team. »
At the same time, Cornec had resumed studies to complete an Executive MBA in Lyon. Hired by the team, he is not due to start until September 2024 but prefers to arrive four months earlier. Even if nothing has been communicated internally, it is becoming quite clear that he is there to gently take over from Madiot. Without rushing anything.
“There is a DNA in this team that must be preserved”
Officially, he only really takes charge in 2026 but it is he who decided all the recruitment. And Madiot agreed to give him complete freedom. Cornec hired eight riders, quite young with three-year contracts like Clément Berthet, Bastien Tronchon or Ewen Costiou. “There is a DNA in this team that must be preserved,” continues the new boss. It has been in existence for thirty years and we must build on that. »
In 2026, the ambitions are mathematical but also philosophical. “We must pass the twenty victories mark,” announces Thierry Cornec. With particular success in the Tour de France. » But there are also improvements to be found among the headliners. Apart from Romain Grégoire, unlucky on the Pontarlier stage during the Tour de France, the others disappointed.
David Gaudu knows that his stage victory in the Vuelta does not erase everything and he has decided to change his work habits. Guillaume Martin – Guyonnet is still having trouble letting go of the general rankings to aim for stages. This year it will also change. Moreover, for the first time in his career, he will begin his sporting year in Australia at the Tour Down Under. And Valentin Madouas took a whole year to digest the weight of his silver medal at the 2024 Olympics.
Without shouting too loudly, Thierry Cornec hopes that his best will be spurred on by the arrival of a new generation. And keep the promise of the team’s new slogan: Higher and stronger.
