What do you do when your team announces, unexpectedly and in the middle of the season, that it is folding the minute you cross the finish line of the last World Cup of the season? That’s exactly the situation Ontario’s Cole Punchard or France’s Luca Martin found themselves in when Cannondale Factory Racing called curtains on a decades-long racing program. Both riders responded by doubling down and landing career-best results. Then, apparently, signing with Decathlon Ford.
Tucked away in the very weird launch video for Van Rysel’s first mountain bike, a 32″ prototype that the Decathlon Ford team will race going forward, is a new team roster. Both Punchard and Martin are listed alongside most of the existing team members.
Usually this type of announcement would have to wait a couple of months, until the calendar year turns over and contracts officially expire. But with CFR opting to close it’s doors after the last World Cup instead of at the end of 2026, and with both Van Rysel and Decathlon Ford’s current bike supplier, Rockrider, all part of the Decathlon family, no one was waiting around to make this announcement.
Cole Punchard in good company at world 2026 championships. Photo: Michele Mondini
A stunning end for CFR
As mentioned, Cannondale’s announcement landed while the team was on a big run. In a remarkable show of spirit, teamwork and, probably, with renewed pressure to secure new contracts, that success only accelerated after the announcement.
Cole Punchard landed his first elite world championship podium, finishing an incredible third in Val di Sole at the end of August. He then stepped up and landed his first elite men’s World Cup podium when the series made its debut at Soldier Hollow in Utah. The Canadian was nearly on the podium again in the final round, finishing fourth ahead of Martin in Lake Placid where there teammate Charlie Aldridge took the win.
Martin’s results are even more spectacular. The French rider won the overall World Cup title for both short track (XCC) and Olympic (XCO) cross country. A remarkable statement from Martin. And surely a very helpful statement when entering contract negotiations with the Decathlon Ford program.
For Canadian fans, Punchard finding a solid home after a summer of uncertainty is fantastic news. Decathlon Ford is a well-established team with a very proven record of success (including Samara Maxwell’s 2025 World Cup overall title). And Punchard is one of the most promising cross country riders to emerge from the Canadian scene lately.
2027 Decathlon Ford team
Martin and Punchard are the two major changes for the Decathlon Ford team going forward. But not the only change. The team announced Wednesday that it is saying goodbye to Joshua Dubau. Dubau raced with Decathlon Ford from the team’s inception and, notably, earned the squad its first World Cup podium. Many more have followed for the squad.
Returning riders include Samara Maxwell, U.S. national champ Savilia Blunk, Greta Seiwald, Lucas Teste, under-23 European champion Alix Andre Gallis, and David List.
The team continues to be run by retired French XC star, Stephane Tempier.