Pogacar's biggest rival? Felix Gall leads climber-heavy Decathlon into Vuelta a España
CyclingTuesday, 18 August 2026 at 12:46
Decathlon CMA CGM Team are a team that is growing in real time and this year it is not only Paul Seixas who is putting out the best climbing performances of his career. Felix Gall has had the same, and is heading towards the Vuelta a España in the lead of the French team and perhaps with the only climbing block capable of putting pressure on Tadej Pogacar.
Whilst the chances of the World Champion being beaten are low in Spain, if any team might have the ambition to put pressure from early on is Decathlon, who may want to test the World Champion after a much less focused run-up to the Spanish Grand Tour. Felix Gall rode to second behind Jonas Vingegaard at the Giro d'Italia and he has seemingly had a perfect preparation towards the Vuelta.
“I had a very good training camp in Arc 1950, and I’m happy to be back in action after my victory at the Vuelta in Burgos," Felix Gall said in a press release. "This proves that we’ve done a good job over the past few weeks".
Gall won an overall classification for the first time in his career this past week, beating Oscar Onley and Giulio Ciccone at the Vuelta a Burgos. At the Vuelta, he will not only have similar steep summit finishes, but brutal mountain slogs that suit him better.
"After a long training period, it’s definitely reassuring to know that I’m ready for my second Grand Tour of the year. The main goal will be to contend for the general classification at this Vuelta. We’ll see where we stand at the end of these three weeks, but making it onto the podium at another Grand Tour this year would be the perfect way to cap off a fantastic season".
The Austrian's climbing level this year looks to have improved, and his consistency has not been put into question: He has finished second to Vingegaard on every single one of his stage wins, as well as the overall classification.
Felix Gall heads into La Vuelta after a second place at the Giro d'italia
Decathlon with a full-on climbing group
But Decathlon's biggest weapon might be its collective. Once again, the team shows up to a Grand Tour with a very strong team. "A lot can still happen in a bike race, but I think I’ve already shown what I’m capable of on several occasions this season, and I’m really in top form. We already had a very strong team at the Giro, and I’d say this one is at least just as strong, if not stronger, especially in the mountains," Gall assured.
Backing him up are Matthew Riccitello who was fifth last year in this very race and recently had his best form towards the end of the Tour de France where he supported Paul Seixas.
Gregor Mühlberger, Callum Scotson and Sander de Pestel all showed their very best level in the mountains of the Giro and, if they reach the same level, they could match the depth of any other team in the mountains of the Vuelta. Léo Bisiaux, a stage winner last year in Burgos, will now make his return to the Vuelta after a series of impressive climbing performances over the past year.
The lineup is complete by classics specialist Jordan Labrosse who may also get freedom to chase stage wins; whilst Oscar Chamberlain completes the '8' as the team's main domestique for the flat days.
“We’re kicking off this Vuelta with the goal of securing a podium finish for Felix Gall," team manager Cyril Dessel added. "He’ll be backed by a very strong team that combines youth and experience. Oscar Chamberlain will be competing in his first Grand Tour, bringing all his enthusiasm as he learns alongside a leader aiming for the top spots".
"Several riders are already familiar with the race, having competed alongside Felix last year—such as Léo Bisiaux and Jordan Labrosse, who will be looking to build on their experience. We can also count on the experience of Callum Scotson, Sander De Pestel, Gregor Mühlberger, and Matthew Riccitello, the latter of whom has already completed two Vuelta , one of which he finished in the white jersey. In my view, this is a perfectly balanced and close-knit team to support Felix in his quest for the podium".
Gall should be challenged by the likes of Oscar Onley, Primoz Roglic, Mattias Skjelmose and Richard Carapaz in the fight for the podium.
"Alongside this pursuit of the general classification, when we line up for a major tour, the goal is also to secure a stage victory. I hope we’ll have opportunities depending on how the race unfolds, particularly by slipping riders into breakaways to aim for the win. It’s important to try to win, even with very high ambitions in the general classification.”
Read also
Decathlon CMA CGM Team for 2026 Vuelta a España:
| Riders |
| Léo Bisiaux |
| Oscar Chamberlain |
| Sander de Pestel |
| Felix Gall |
| Jordan Labrosse |
| Gregor Mühberger |
| Matthew Riccitello |
| Callum Scotson |
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- Dolce et decorum est pro patria mori
Rafionain-Glas18-08-2026 - Anything to get away from Brailsford. Geraint Thomas is a good guy but hardly proven as someone who can guide a team to success off the bike.Renz18-08-2026
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