One of Visma most important riders confirms exit: "A new chapter in my career"

After months of speculation, Tiesj Benoot has officially confirmed he will leave Team Visma | Lease a Bike at the end of the 2025 season to join the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team — soon to be named Decathlon CMA CGM. The 31-year-old Belgian, widely regarded as one of the most tactically astute and reliable riders in the World Tour, has signed a contract that will keep him at the French outfit through the 2028 season.

While marquee names often dominate headlines, within the walls of Visma’s high-functioning machine, Benoot has long been viewed as indispensable. His departure marks not just the end of a highly effective partnership but also a notable shift in Visma’s core Classics and Grand Tour support structure.

Benoot joined the Dutch team in 2022, and over the course of four seasons established himself as a cornerstone of their success across multiple terrains. Whether shepherding Jonas Vingegaard up Alpine passes or taking on leadership responsibilities in the Spring Classics, Benoot consistently embodied the dual role of super-domestique and protected rider — a rare versatility in the modern peloton.

“I’m very happy to be joining Decathlon CMA CGM in 2026,” Benoot said. “It’s a new chapter in my career, with an ambitious team where I believe I can keep progressing. The project’s vision and the trust placed in me are hugely motivating. I’m aiming to deliver strong results, especially in the Classics, and play a key role in helping the team reach its goals.”

While Visma has recently been associated with Grand Tour dominance, particularly through Vingegaard’s Tour de France victories, their strength in depth has been just as crucial as their star power. Benoot’s ability to perform on cobbled terrain, in stage races, and in high-mountain domestique duties has made him a linchpin in multiple campaigns.

Team manager Sébastien Joly described the signing as “perfect for our project.” “He’s an experienced rider with enormous physical and tactical quality. In the Classics, he will be a protected leader. In stage races, he’ll be a major asset in support. We’re thrilled to have someone of his calibre on board,” said Joly.

Benoot is not the only big name reportedly en route to Decathlon CMA CGM. Promising Dutch sprinter Olav Kooij, also of Visma, is rumoured to have signed a lucrative deal with the team. The pair could form the backbone of a squad looking to reposition itself from perennial outsiders to major players in both the Classics and Grand Tours.

For Team Visma | Lease a Bike, it's the end of a valuable chapter. For Benoot — and Decathlon CMA CGM — it may be the start of something much bigger.