"I will miss Wout" - Tiesj Benoot sets out to build a new Classics squad with Decathlon

Tiesj Benoot's move to Decathlon CMA CGM (as the team will be called from 2026 onwards) is a transfer that could shift the balance at the cobbled Classics. Over the past seasons, Team Visma | Lease a Bike have been a dominant force of spring (in absence of Mathieu van der Poel and Tadej Pogacar at least!), but with two of the cornerstones of their squad; Benoot and Dylan van Baarle setting out on a new adventure, there will hopefully be some new outfits in the mix for big victories in 2026.

Benoot has been proving his worth in one-day races as well as at Grand Tours for many years, although his last big victory dates to 2023 when he triumphed at the Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne. This year, he arrive 3rd at Dwars door Vlaanderen, 6th at Tour of Flanders, but also 4th at Clasica San Sebastian and 8th at Amstel Gold Race, underlining his versatility.

Such a consistent top-10 finisher at the biggest of summer Classics that is Benoot had multiple offers on the table for his future whereabouts, including a generous renewal offer from his current team, what ultimately shifted the balance in favor of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale?

"It's a combination of factors," Benoot begins his story at Het Laatste Nieuws. "I've been thoroughly informed by Oliver Naesen and Stan Dewulf, who is one of my best friends, but also by Johannes Staune-Mittet, who took the same step last year. My new team has a vision and structure that I believe in."

Although he would be paid more than fair salary at Visma | Lease a Bike with a new contract, the world's second best team is operating a slightly tight budget with so many fresh talent such as Matthew Brennan asking for their place in the cycling peloton. Meanwhile the French team backed up sports giant Decathlon can afford to go an extra mile for a leader like Benoot to fill in a blank space in the team's roster.

"The financial aspect also plays a role. At Team Visma | Lease a Bike, I'm well paid and I was able to extend my contract with attractive terms, but my new team also made it clear how much they wanted me. All of this made me decide it was time for a change and a change in my career."

Richard Plugge said in an earlier interview that the team can't compete with the financial clout of the up and coming superteams. "Richard's new offer was really good and not disrespectful at all. I think it was a realistic offer for him, based on what he could and was willing to offer for a rider of my caliber. I'm grateful to him for that, but I know that everyone is replaceable, and that includes Tiesj Benoot."

Although many of his teammates will be sad about his departure, including Wout van Aert. "I will miss Wout in terms of personality, teammate, and person. I shouldn't beat around the bush, but cycling is and will always be my job, not just a club of friends. Wout knows that too. He sincerely congratulated me on my transfer."