Groupama - FDJ reveals plans for 2026: An unexpected new signing to lead the Giro d'Italia charge
Cycling
Groupama - FDJ has announced the calendar of some of its riders for the upcoming season, placing the spring classics and the Tour de France at the centre of its ambitions.
In the one-day races, Romain Grégoire will be one of the key figures. In addition to the Ardennes classics, the young French rider will also target several cobbled races for the first time, including the Tour of Flanders.
On the pavé, the main point of reference will be Valentin Madouas, whose role is expected to become even more prominent following the departure of Stefan Küng, who signed a three-year deal with Tudor. Madouas has already finished on the podium at the Tour of Flanders in the past.
Grégoire will also line up at the Tour de France, where leadership responsibilities will be shared between David Gaudu and Guillaume Martin. Martin has additionally been announced for the Vuelta a España at the end of the season.
An unexpected leader for the Giro
With the spring and the Tour de France dominating the team’s focus, the Giro d’Italia will play a more secondary role. The squad will primarily target stage wins, while Clément Berthet will be given the opportunity to test himself in the general classification. A top-10 finish will be the main objective for the French rider, who has never hunted the GC of a Grand Tour so far.
It will be his first appearance at the Giro d'Italia, after riding the Tour de France in 2023 (25th) and 2025 (36th). He also rode a Vuelta a España in 2024, where he finished 20th.
He will make his debut with his new squad, after leaving Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team, at the Clásica de Almería on February 15, followed by the Vuelta a Andalucía from February 18 to 22, where he is already expected to fight for a solid GC.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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