Decathlon CMA CGM set for Swiss licence switch despite Seixas-led success as financial reality reshapes team strategy

Decathlon CMA CGM may be one of the standout teams of the early 2026 season, but behind the results, significant structural changes are already in motion.

According to a report from WielerFlits, the team is set to switch from a French to a Swiss licence from 2027, a move driven not by performance, but by the financial realities of competing at WorldTour level. The timing is notable. With Paul Seixas currently dominating Itzulia Basque Country and emerging as one of the defining riders of the season, Decathlon appear to be building momentum on the road, while simultaneously rethinking how they operate off it.

Despite operating with a sizeable budget, Decathlon CMA CGM have struggled to match rivals in the same financial bracket, largely due to France’s high social charges. French employers are required to pay roughly 40 to 45 percent in social contributions on top of rider salaries, among the highest rates in Europe. That additional cost has long been viewed as a limiting factor for teams operating under a French licence.

The planned switch to a Swiss licence is intended to address that imbalance, allowing the team to allocate more of its budget directly towards performance rather than overhead.

Under current regulations, teams are not typically permitted to change nationality during an active WorldTour licence cycle. However, an exception can be granted if a new paying agent from another country is approved by the Professional Cycling Council. That process is expected to allow Decathlon CMA CGM to transition to a Swiss licence from 1 January 2027, with the new registration then locked in until at least 2029.

The move comes at a time when Decathlon CMA CGM are already demonstrating their potential on the road. Seixas’ performances at Itzulia Basque Country have not only placed him firmly in control of the general classification, but have also underlined the team’s ability to compete with the very best at WorldTour level.

At just 19, the Frenchman has become one of the most talked-about riders in the peloton, and his rise has only intensified attention on the team’s long-term direction.

That direction may ultimately hinge on whether Decathlon can retain Seixas beyond his current contract, which runs until the end of 2027.

Interest in the young Frenchman is already widespread, with multiple WorldTeams monitoring his situation. UAE Team Emirates - XRG, the team of world champion Tadej Pogacar, are understood to be among those particularly well placed.

The licence switch, while primarily financial in nature, could also play a role in that battle. By reducing structural costs, Decathlon CMA CGM would be better positioned to compete for top talent, both in terms of recruitment and retention.

For now, the team’s focus remains on results, and those results are coming quickly. But the decision to change the licence suggests a longer-term calculation is already underway. One that could determine whether their current success becomes a foundation or a peak.