French cycling organization Decathlon CMA CGM announced plans to launch its inaugural women’s team starting next season, entering the international ProTeam division by early 2027. Based in Savoie, the setup aims to bridge a critical developmental gap in the sport. The new 12-rider women’s roster will share operational resources, coaching infrastructure, and sports science facilities with the men’s structure, utilizing the team’s dedicated performance hub in La Motte-Servolex.
Expanding the Pipeline to World-Class Racing
According to the team’s official announcement released on Wednesday, July 29, the initiative is designed specifically to “allow a new generation of female riders to access the highest level.” By securing a spot in the second tier of international cycling, the new squad provides a direct pathway for rising talent without forcing them to navigate the sport’s fragmented development pathways alone.
Operating as a ProTeam places the new French outfit one step below the elite UCI Women’s WorldTeams. Riders signed to the 12-person roster will tap into the exact same scientific, nutritional, and biomechanical resources currently utilized by the men’s program, including testing protocols and recovery systems based in the Savoie region.
Integration with the Savoie Performance Hub
Central to the new team’s operation is the Decathlon CMA CGM performance center located in La Motte-Servolex.
Strategic Timing Ahead of the Tour de France Femmes
The team’s announcement arrived precisely three days before the start of the Tour de France Femmes. That marquee stage race began with a Grand Départ in Lausanne, Switzerland, charting a multi-stage route across demanding terrain before concluding on August 9 with a finish in Nice.
The team’s current development pipeline already features standout prospects—such as French rider Paul Seixas in the men’s development ranks—and leadership intends to replicate that talent identification success within the women’s peloton.
What Comes Next
Further updates regarding rider signings and race schedules will be released by the organization through its official channels.
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