"With Mathieu..." - Alpecin's new signing is set to be a guide for van der Poel and leadout for Philipsen

Alpecin-Deceuninck went into the 2025 transfer season already with a card up their sleeve, as they had been in contact with Florian Sénéchal for a very long time. The signing has been made official and the Frenchman, an incredibly experienced classics rider and leadout man, will be put to use to benefit of Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen, amongst others.

"I feel ready. It's a big WorldTour team, very professional, with real attention to every detail: the preparation, the stats, sleep, nothing is left to chance. It motivates me personally, it helps me refocus on myself and bring all the little details together to try and perform at my best," Sénéchal said in an interview with Velofute.

Turned pro in 2014 with Cofidis, the French rider spent a few years in his home country before returning to Quick-Step (where he raced at during his development years). There he has shown his class as a classics rider, winning races like Le Samyn, Primus Classic and Druivenkoers-Overijse, and finishing second in major races such as Gent Wevelgem and the E3 Saxo Classic. He's also got Top10 finishes at Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders, as well as a sprint stage win at the Vuelta a España.

The past two seasons he's raced with Arkéa - B&B Hotels, where his performances in the classics didn't impress, but he continued being a valuable leadout for Arnaud Démare.

"I'd been in contact for a year, and I was the one who took the initiative to speak with them directly in 2024," he said of the Belgian team. "We talked, we took our time, we developed a plan, and in the end, things fell into place quite naturally. I didn't feel like I was waiting indefinitely; they instilled confidence in me despite the physical and mental anxieties related to my time at Arkéa-B&B Hotels".

However he learnt a lot in his time with the French team, away from a top structure at the very top of the sport. "I mainly remember the importance of mental strength. Cycling is about mental strength, physical strength, and equipment. These seasons reminded me that overall balance—mental, cultural, and the work environment—is just as important as physical ability. I also learned to cope with disappointments, equipment problems, and times when nothing is going right, and to keep working, to question myself without losing motivation". It is possible that now he will see a rise in his level back again.

But he does not fail to bring to the spotlight those who were affected by the team's demise this winter: "Yes, it affected me to see the team's situation. It was a structure that gave opportunities to both young and experienced riders, with good ideas for building a united and professional team, including a Continental team and a women's team".

"Today, a good part of the staff is unemployed, which is tough. As far as I know, all the riders have found a team, but not the staff. Having a contract already reassured me, but it doesn't take away the sadness for those left out in the cold. They remained professional and committed until the very end, and I feel for them".

Now with a one-year deal signed with a new team, his plans change. But his role remains very similar. "First, I'll be the road captain for the sprints. I'll be there to lead out the sprints, organize the train [...] It could be with the three big sprinters: Jasper Philipsen, Kaden Groves, or Gerben Thijssen. We'll see depending on the race calendar".

The 32-year old is also set to partner up with Mathieu van der Poel in the cobbles, where he could play a meaningful support role, specially at Paris-Roubaix. "In the Classics, with Mathieu, my role will be to get him as high up the peloton as possible. There will also be opportunities for me, depending on the races, to play my own hand when possible".