Sprinting, climbing and classics power secured by Decathlon with a new round of renewals - "Extending these riders’ contracts is essential"
Cycling
Decathlon CMA CGM Team announced the signing of three riders this past Tuesday, and on Wednesday morning they have announced the renewal of three key riders within the team: Callum Scotson, Tord Gudmestad and Stefan Bissegger.
The signing of under-23 rider Aubin Sparfel had been the only addition to the team confirmed prior to this week. The French World Tour team has grown in budget last winter and, with the development of Paul Seixas, have also grown in exposure and status within the peloton. Whilst the loss of Felix Gall this winter is meaningful, the team have announced the addition of Pavel Sivakov, Laurens de Plus and Ben O'Connor who will largely boost Paul Seixas' block for future races.
This Wednesday morning, the team revealed three more deals: “We are very pleased to see Stefan, Tord, and Callum continuing their journey with DECATHLON CMA CGM," future sports manager Romain Bardet said in a press release.
"A successful team is also made up of riders who take on very demanding roles - Sometimes behind the scenes, very often selflessly—but who carry them out day in and day out with remarkable discipline".
"Stefan brings his strength and leadership to the classics while also being an exceptional teammate in stage races. Tord has become a central figure in our organization for sprints, and Callum is a true pillar of our roster in the Grand Tours, always there for his leaders. Before adding new talent, extending these riders’ contracts is essential: they are the foundation of our team; the team’s recent sporting rise is largely due to them, and they feel there are still great things to achieve together.”
All three riders are, in large part, domestiques within the French team. However, all three are key parts of the team in the climbing, sprinting and classics departments. This set of renewals leaves the team with 27 riders signed into 2027; whilst Gianluca Pollefliet is the only one from the current roster without a contract for next year.
Callum Scotson, Tord Gudmestad and Stefan Bissegger have renewed with Decathlon CMA CGM Team
Callum Scotson, Paul Seixas' new domestique?
Callum Scotson, over the past few years, has been a right-hand man for Felix Gall. The Austrian rider has moved to Lidl-Trek but that hasn't led to the departure of the Australian climber.
“I’m very happy to be staying with the team for two more years. It’s a place where I feel very comfortable and where I’ve been able to race at my best so far," he added in the press release. Scotson could begin to take part in Paul Seixas' block for the upcoming season.
"I consider the team to be one of the strongest right now, and we always have the opportunity to race for the win or a podium finish—it’s very motivating to compete with those goals in mind. In the years ahead, I hope to continue supporting the team in the Grand Tours. I’d also like to keep improving to help the team in other major races, particularly one-day races and the Monuments.”
Tord Gudmestad aids Decathlon's sprinting ambitions
Gudmestad signed with the Decathlon team in 2025 and was an outsider sprinter throughout that year. In 2026, he found himself as a premium leadout man for Tobias Lund Andresen, who was a proven winner throughout the opening months of the season.
“Of course, I’m really happy to stay with the team. I think I’ve improved since I joined, and the same goes for the rest of the group. We have good sprinters I can work with, and I really appreciate that," he added.
"With DECATHLON and CMA CGM as our main partners and Van Rysel providing us with some of the best equipment in the peloton, it’s a real advantage when racing at such high speeds. I’m grateful that the team has confidence in me and wants to keep me on for the next three years.”
Read also
Stefan Bissegger maintains Paris-Roubaix ambitions with Decathlon
Stefan Bissegger has been part of the team since 2025 as well, and in both years proved to be a leader for the cobbled classics - having finished in the Top10 of Paris-Roubaix in both years. The Swiss rider has, in addition, been a key road captain during the stage-races, being one of the peloton's strongest rouleurs and time trialists.
“I’m thrilled to continue this journey with the team. We’ve made tremendous progress, and with so many talented riders joining us, it’s a very stimulating environment," the Swissman said.
"It also gives me the opportunity to aim for major races like Paris-Roubaix, which remains a key goal. Being able to give it my all and aim for the best possible result is something I’m once again looking forward to in the years ahead.”
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)...
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