Groupama - FDJ sign another leader straight from rival team AG2R - Strade Bianche and Flanders a dream

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale are having big changes in their team and that includes the departure of many quality riders. One team taking full advantage of that is Groupama - FDJ, who after signing Clément Berthet, are also signing none other than Bastien Tronchon.

"Bastien Tronchon is a tightrope walker! As joyful as he is professional, we welcome him to the team with the certainty that he will find a place with us to continue to grow," Philippe Mauduit said in a press release.

The 23-year old broke through the pro ranks in 2022 winning a stage at the Vuelta a Burgos whilst still riding as a stagiaire for the Decathlon team. He signed a pro contract thereafter and has been evolving, making it obvious that he specializes in the off-road events having been the strongest at the 2024 Clásica Jaen Paraiso Interior ahead of riders such as Jan Tratnik, Tim Wellens and Sepp Kuss (although he was second on the day behind breakaway ride Oier Lazkano); and with this year's victory at the Tro-Bro Léon. He was also fifth at the Tour Down Under and made his Tour de France debut.

"He will be responsible for making our colors shine on fields that suit him and that he appreciates. His punching skills will also work wonders alongside Romain Grégoire. In Bastien, we have a choice reinforcement for the future of the team and every reason to believe that the professionalism of our team will have a great ambassador."

"I arrive at Groupama-FDJ with a lot of desire and ambition. I felt a certain trust in my discussions with the team and it is extremely motivating to see that they are counting on me," Tronchon explained. The team has a few quality riders but generally also a very open calendar in which he should frequently find freedom to lead the team and hunt for his own chances.

"My profile will allow me to express myself on the most beautiful classics of the calendar, the Flemish ones that I love, the Strade Bianche that I dream of and with Romain Grégoire on the Ardennes. I am committed to making these three years in the team a period of physical progression, sporting and personal development with great results to the key. Choosing Groupama-FDJ also reflects my desire to maintain a reassuring environment, to continue learning calmly".