Decathlon has agreed to become the sole owner of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale UCI World Tour, the French cycling team with UCI WorldTeam status, at the close of 2025.
The team has been owned solely by French insurance company AG2R La Mondiale since 2022, with Decathlon co-sponsoring the team over the past two years. AG2R La Mondiale had first signed on as a team sponsor in 1997 and has been its main sponsor since 2000.
As part of the takeover, set to take effect in 2026, Decathlon plans to spend over $47 million (40 million Euros) per year on the team, an executive told La Libre, up from about $33 million (€28 million) this year, and would put it among the highest budgets for cycling teams worldwide.
Céline Del Genes, global chief customer officer at Decathlon, said in a statement, “Cycling is, and always has been, core to Decathlon. This change is more than structural; it reflects our long-term strategic intention to deepen our involvement in the sport at the highest level. We want to shape the future of the sport, not just sponsor its present. We are proud of the journey shared with AG2R La Mondiale, and thank them for their dedication and commitment to the team for the past 28 years. A new chapter is now opening, fueled by a bold ambition to win, and we can’t wait to write it together with the team.”
Fabrice Heyriès, managing director, AG2R La Mondiale, said, “It is with profound emotion, shared by all AG2R La Mondiale’s employees and members of the board, that we transfer the ownership of our cycling team to Decathlon. After a shared journey of nearly 30 years, we could not have hoped for a better partner to carry forward the Team’s legacy and to bring it towards new heights. Over the past two years, we have been able to gauge Decathlon’s commitment, expertise and ability to be more than just a sponsor for the Team. Like us, they passionately cheer at each race while tirelessly striving for greater performance to achieve tomorrow’s victories. We take great pride in our Group’s contribution as the Team’s longstanding partner and extend heartfelt and sincere gratitude to all the riders, staff and partners who have contributed to the many outstanding successes during this tenure. AG2R La Mondiale remains the Team’s partner until December 2025. Until then, we are delighted to know that the end of this extraordinary journey for AG2R La Mondiale opens an exciting new chapter for the Team.”
Dominique Serieys, CEO, France Cyclisme, the legal entity of AG2R La Mondiale UCI World Tour team, said, “This is a new chapter in France Cyclisme’s history. Over the past 18 months, we’ve built a strong and constructive relationship with Decathlon, grounded in shared values and common goals. AG2R La Mondiale’s long-standing support has profoundly shaped the team’s identity, and that legacy remains central as we prepare the transition toward a new ambition.
“This announcement marks a new chapter for the team. As part of its strategic vision, Decathlon is already preparing for the next stage of the Team’s development, with strong ambitions set for 2026 and beyond. The objective is clear: to continue growing both in depth and performance, with the goal of entering the UCI World Ranking Top 3 by 2028.”
Image courtesy Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale UCI World Tour
