Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet has officially signed a one-year contract with Lotto-Intermarché for the 2027 season, returning to the Belgian structure where he started his professional career eleven years ago. The French climber secured the deal independently after two seasons with Groupama-FDJ, aiming to rebuild his Grand Tour consistency and target the Giro d’Italia.
A Homecoming for the French Climber
Direct Negotiations During the Vuelta
The 33-year-old rider, who finished 11th at the recent Vuelta a España, finalized negotiations during the Spanish Grand Tour after contacting team manager Jean-François Bourlart directly. Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet spent his first professional years from 2016 to 2019 within the Wanty-Groupe Gobert structure, which later evolved into the current Lotto-Intermarché setup.
Avoiding a Subdued Conclusion
Reflecting on his career path, the French cyclist acknowledged that he briefly considered retirement after eleven professional seasons. Instead, he chose to return to familiar territory rather than conclude his career on a subdued note, pointing to the potential return of the Tour de France to Normandy and his desire to re-conquer the Italian Grand Tour as primary motivations.
Assessing the Groupama-FDJ Stint
His tenure with Groupama-FDJ yielded a mixed sporting assessment. While he acknowledged meeting new people and gaining structural insights, he noted that his progression stalled, particularly at the Tour de France, where he previously secured top-ten finishes with Cofidis, taking 8th in 2021 and 10th in 2023.
Self-Managed Recruitment and Future Ambitions
Operating without an agent this season, Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet drove his own recruitment process. He highlighted that returning to the squad where he felt most fulfilled was his primary objective once he realized a change was necessary. His 11th-place finish at the Vuelta reinforced his belief in his ability to contend for top-ten general classification results in three-week races.
Dual Roles and Giro Goals
Within his new team, the climber expects to shoulder a dual responsibility. Alongside pursuing individual results on preferred terrain, he intends to act as a road captain, helping guide younger athletes within the roster such as Jarno Widar. The rider plans to utilize his recovery capabilities to tackle the Giro d’Italia, the sole Grand Tour where he has yet to crack the overall top ten.
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