Renshaw and Haussler - Decathlon AG2R sign two men who have marked Mark Cavendish's career for sprint experience

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale are putting in serious resources to build the best sprint block in the cycling world. After signing Olav Kooij as their new leader and several of his compatriots to form a strong leadout train, the French team has also signed Mark Renshaw and Heinrich Haussler to provide support and experience towards the younger riders and their development in the field.

"The arrival of Mark Renshaw and Heinrich Haussler is in line with the team's vision of sporting, and international, development. These two new sports directors balance the dynamic between the team's French culture and its Anglo-Saxon riders and staff," team CEO Sébastien Joly said in a press release.

The team has Paul Seixas who will be a headliner and representing the team's French core, however it is a team that is moving away from its roots and into a more international look - with Decathlon providing a massive budget boost. The signing of other leaders such as Tiesj Benoot and Matthew Riccitello is certain to provide results in 2026, but the sprint project with Kooij may be the most interesting plot of the year for the team.

"Mark Renshaw will be dedicated to the sprint project, thanks to his experience as a pilot fish and his success as sports director," he added, after Renshaw spent the last two seasons at Astana with the same role. He had been signed to the Kazakh team at the request of Mark Cavendish but stayed until the end of 2025. Alongside him will be Heinrich Haussler, who famously had a photo-finish sprint with Mark Cavendish at the 2009 Milano-Sanremo, the Manxman's sole monument win of his career.

"Heinrich Haussler will form an excellent team with Luke Rowe and Julien Jurdie for the classics: his genuine passion for these races will be a real asset. Both are professionals who have been part of the recent evolution of cycling. Their profiles represent a perfect balance between rider experience and sport director experience, with modern working methods. We are delighted to welcome them to the team".

"I started my career as a professional rider with a French team, so coming back to France really feels like completing a cycle," Renshaw said. "Working with some of the best sprinters in the peloton, with the aim of going out and winning races at the highest level, is extremely motivating as a sports director. The whole project is focused on performance, and the presence of a dedicated sprint train was the key element that convinced me to join the team. It's very motivating to be able to build something exceptional for the seasons to come."

Haussler in the meantime moves over after a stint as a sports director for Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. "I'm really looking forward to joining the sports management team. The team will continue to progress and the project for the next few years is very ambitious, so I'm delighted to be part of it. I want to contribute my experience as a rider and sporting director, so that I can pass it on to the younger generation. I'm looking forward to learning how the team works and advising the riders with my classics experience."