Decathlon-CMA CGM are a changed team this year, with a new look, a host of new riders, and the rise of Paul Seixas all contributing to a major change in the long-running French squad.
Joining a host of notable names, including Matthew Riccitello, Olav Kooij, and Tobias Lund Andresen at the team for 2026 was Belgian Classics racer Tiesj Benoot.
The 32-year-old made the jump from Visma-Lease a Bike, coming on board to lead the team on the cobbles and hills in March and April, as well as forming a key part of Decathlon-CMA CGM’s Tour de France squad.
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Benoot couldn’t compete at the Classics, though, and in fact hasn’t turned a pedal in anger all year, having suffered a herniated disc which required surgery back in February.
He’s finally back in action this week, making his Decathlon-CMA CGM debut at the five-day Tour de Suisse.
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“Il Lombardia was my last race, so it’s more or less eight months ago. I cannot remember when I didn’t race for such a long time. I must’ve been really young,” Benoot told TNT Sports.
“I’m happy to be back, yes. It’s really special and a nice race, a hard race, at WorldTour level, so I’m curious to see what my level is. I hope to find good legs this week. To take away from the week, I won’t put a result on it, but I just want to find confidence on the bike and my body again.”
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Already on his first race day back, a hilly 144km stage around Sondrio, Benoot was racing among the leaders, competing against the likes of Mikel Landa, Jhonatan Narváez, and Primož Roglič in the chase and crossing the line in 17th place, 4:30 down on solo stage winner Tadej Pogačar.
Even with over half a year off the bike, and with only the five days in Switzerland under his belt, Benoot is aiming to compete at next month’s Tour de France.
“I hope to be at the start of the Tour if this week goes well,” Benoot said.
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“I have to test the legs somewhere before the Tour. It would be too crazy to start in Barcelona without knowing how I am in the race. I think this year’s version, with only five days of racing, is just perfect for that.
“We’ll have to see how it goes, and then of course there’s a nice last part of the season with the Worlds in Canada and a lot of other nice races.”
Should all go well and Benoot heads to Catalunya to start his 10th Tour de France on July 4, he’ll be among the riders tasked with supporting French GC phenom Paul Seixas.
Following his successes at Itzulia Basque Country and La Flèche Wallonne, the French public harbour hopes for the 19-year-old, even if few expect him to beat the likes of Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard. Benoot also tempered expectations of his teammate.
“You mustn’t forget that he was dropped in Liège-Bastogne-Liège. They say he came close to Pogačar, but actually he didn’t come close,” Benoot told Het Nieuwsblad.
“He was dropped on La Roche aux Faucons. It is very promising, though, that a 19-year-old rider can keep up on La Redoute.
“He is a special guy. He doesn’t know his own limits. Actually, no one knows his limits, and that is precisely the beauty of it. I believe he can ride for a podium finish in the Tour. But above all, you have to let him enjoy himself without pressure, otherwise a long career won’t be in the cards.”
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