Bennett will compete with Van Aert, and Staune-Mittet gets WorldTour races to prove himself

Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team has announced several riders' (spring) programs. Thus, Sam Bennett will compete with Wout van Aert in the sprint stages of the Giro d'Italia, we can expect to see Paul Lapeira in the hilly classics, Felix Gall will do the Tour de France again, and Staune-Mittet will go for a GC in Tirreno.

The French formation had a particularly successful year in 2024, with 30 wins, the highest number since 1999, a strong GC in the Giro d'Italia, and a podium finish in the Vuelta a España. The Tour de France, however, was a minor setback. There has been one crucial change since then: Ben O'Connor has left. The Australian was the team's best rider and the leader in many races. Among the influx of transfers, however, there is no immediate replacement for him. So, how the French will fare in 2025 remains to be seen. In any case, the (spring) programs have been presented, and it is clear who should carry the responsibilities during the main races.

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Bennett goes stage hunting in the Giro and Gall for a GC in the Tour

Bennett is the sprint leader. His first year was not without its challenges, but in 2025, he should have more victories, with goals such as the Étoile de Bessèges, the Tour de la Provence, Tirreno-Adriatico, and the Giro d'Italia. Focusing on an Italian program, he seems to be pursuing a new strategy; perhaps that is the key to success.

The team's other prominent leader, Gall, again goes for Paris-Nice and the Tour. We'll also see the Austrian rider during the UAE Tour, Tour of the Alps, and the Critérium du Dauphiné—enough inclined percentages in those races for Gall to make up the difference. Last year was somewhat mediocre for the climber, so there's something to prove.

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Naesen gets help from Bissegger and Paret-Peintre in the cobbled races 

Oliver Naesen can do his thing in the cobbled races, and there is already a clear-cut plan for that. We will also see newcomer Stefan Bissegger in races like Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Ronde van Vlaanderen, and Paris-Roubaix. The French also have a debutant; Aurélien Paret-Peintre will be at the start of the Tour of Flanders for the first time. As a preparation, he is also competing in the E3 Saxo Classic.

A nice program is also waiting for French champion Paul Lapeira. The 24-year-old puncher had his breakthrough in 2024 by winning five times and finishing fifth in the Amstel Gold Race. This year, Lapeira will start the Tour Down Under. Furthermore, he will ride - among others - the Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico, Itzulia Basque Country, and all the hill classics.

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Staune-Mittet present in Tirreno and Catalonia 

The French team focused on acquiring big talents during the transfer period. Johannes Staune-Mittet was also bought from Visma | Lease a Bike; we asked him about this earlier. The 22-year-old Norwegian will make his debut in the Vuelta a Murcia. Later, he will ride Tirreno-Adriatico and Volta Catalunya.

Finally, Victor Lafay. The Frenchman was brought in with great buzz and for good reason due to his stage victory in the Tour. However, his first year almost fell apart entirely due to injury. In 2025, Lafay can try again in Milan-San Remo, La Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, among others.

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