Madiot's exit sparks change in philosophy at Groupama-FDJ United
Marc Madiot’s departure has coincided with a distinct shift in emphasis at Groupama-FDJ United in 2026, with the squad set to make a concerted attempt to chase UCI points after years of essentially ignoring the WorldTour rankings.
Groupama-FDJ United retained their WorldTour status at the end of 2025, but they will change their approach for the three-year promotion/relegation cycle that gets under way this season. Over the past three years, Groupama-FDJ dropped steadily in the WorldTour rankings, placing seventh in 2023, tenth in 2024 and 18th in 2025.
“We never spoke about it. We started races to win them, not to score points,” directeur sportif Philippe Mauduit told AFP.
Mauduit was speaking at the 2026 Groupama-FDJ United presentation in Paris on Friday, where new general manager Thierry Cornec outlined his objectives for the new season. Cornec took over the role this winter from Madiot, who had led the team since its establishment in 1997.
“2025 didn’t live up to our expectation in terms of wins or world ranking,” Cornec said. “For 2026, the objective is simple. We want to win more often – more than 20 wins – and win better, by winning again on the Tour de France and getting back into the top 10 overall with David Gaudu.”
It was confirmed on Friday that both Gaudu and Guillaume Martin will lead at the Tour de France, with Martin also set to return to the Vuelta a España in August.
Romain Grégoire will be the team’s key rider in the Spring, with puncheur set to make his debut at E3 Harelbeke, Dwars door Vlaanderen and the Tour of Flanders before targeting the Ardennes Classics. “Even though I’m an Ardennes rider above all, it’s worth trying them,” Grégoire told L’Équipeof his cobbled Classics experiment.
Grégoire echoed management by stressing the importance of scoring points in the first year of this promotion/relegation cycle. “It’s important to get off to a good start right away so that we’re in contention for UCI points, then it won’t be an issue anymore and we can focus on winning,” he said.
“Before, we were fortunate enough not to have to worry about that and not to be concerned about it. Now there has obviously been a change. But it’s an important issue because it’s simply a matter of the team’s survival.”
Join our WhatsApp service
Be first to know. Subscribe to Domestique on WhatsApp for free and stay up to date with all the latest from the world of cycling.
