Former French champion and Van der Poel’s lieutenant joins Unibet Rose Rockets on Philippe Gilbert’s advice: “Thirty-three isn’t old”

Florian Senechal has signed for Unibet Rose Rockets for 2027 after one season with Alpecin - Premier Tech, where he supported Mathieu van der Poel at the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. The French ProTeam announced the signing on Friday, with the deal reported to be for one year.

“Philippe Gilbert is a good friend of mine. About two weeks ago, I think, he asked me, ‘What are you going to do, Florian? Are you going to stop or carry on?’” Senechal recalled in a video released by the Rockets. “I said, ‘I don’t know, Phil. We’ve spoken to the Rockets and we’ll see.’” Unibet Rose Rockets video

Senechal had taken to the team’s sense of humour and liked what they were doing on social media. Gilbert thought the Rockets could be bigger again next year. “If you can be part of this project, Flo, go for it,” Senechal recalled Gilbert telling him. “Thirty-three isn’t old. You’re motivated. You’re still like a young kid.”

Senechal had broken his collarbone at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2024 and again at Paris-Nice in 2025 during two injury-hit seasons at Arkea-B&B Hotels. He joined Alpecin after Arkea folded at the end of 2025 and returned to Paris-Roubaix this spring after missing the previous edition.

Jasper Philipsen credited Senechal and Jonas Geens with leading him out for his first win at In Flanders Fields in March. Senechal could fill a similar role for Dylan Groenewegen at the Rockets. He finished eighth at Le Samyn in March and ninth at Paris-Tours in October after making the decisive 11-rider group.

A winner of junior Paris-Roubaix in 2011, Senechal finished sixth in the senior race in 2019, when Gilbert won it for Quick-Step. All five of Senechal’s professional victories came during his six seasons with the Belgian team. On stage 13 of the 2021 Vuelta a Espana, he took over when Fabio Jakobsen lost the lead-out and beat Matteo Trentin to the line. He won the French road title in Cholet the following June, his most recent victory.

The Rockets missed out on a Tour de France wildcard this year and made their Grand Tour debut at the Giro d’Italia in May. Bas Tietema’s team is chasing a first Tour invitation for 2027. Senechal has finished the race three times, most recently in the French champion’s jersey in 2022.