Groupama-FDJ

Despite retiring from professional cycling in 1994, Groupama-FDJ’s team manager Marc Madiot remains one of the stars of the team. Clips of him barking out the team car window at riders on their way to victory while he smashes his fists against the car door have become as iconic as any wins his riders have achieved. 

Nowadays, the team are in the midst of a transition; Thibaut Pinot announced that this season will be his last while Arnaud Démare, has switched teams.

Elsewhere in the team, Stefan Küng has shown that he can do more than just time trial with a podium at Paris-Roubaix, while Valentin Madouas, with a podium at the Tour of Flanders, has highlighted himself as the next great French hope for the Classics. 

The team also has a new wave of talent rising through their ranks. Homegrown stars, Romain Grégoire and Lenny Martinez, have been promoted from the team’s development squad alongside several others, including British U23 champion Sam Watson. Whichever direction that the team heads in the next few years, it’s likely that these burgeoning stars will be at the centre of it.

Tech

Pro Bikes

Vuelta a España pro bike: Romain Grégoire’s Lapierre Xelius SL

Groupama-FDJ's bikes have a new colourway to go with the Xelius' unique seatstay design

Groupama-FDJ's Lapierre Xelius SL for the Vuelta a España

 has easily adapted to life at a higher level, flourishing in 2023 in his first full season as a WorldTour pro. The 20-year-old has caught the eye with his flamboyant riding style and, in a case of substance as well as style, has plenty of impressive results to show for it, including overall victories at 4 Jours de Dunkerque and the recent 

Despite still being only 20 years old, he’ll be one of the team’s big hopes at the 

, alongside fellow Frenchman Lenny Martinez, who took the red jersey on stage 6. Both riders lit up the under-23 scene and were stars in our 

. They’ll be hoping to translate some of that success to the Spanish Grand Tour, and they’ll partly be relying on the 

The Xelius SL is Lapierre’s climbing bike, sitting alongside the aero-focussed Aircode DRS, and for the Vuelta they’ve all received a new colourway. Formerly an all-purple design, the colourway has been tweaked rather than revamped with blue across the top tube and seatstays. It’s a familiar shade that mirrors the team’s kit.

Looking beyond the colourway, the Xelius is one of the more eye-catching bikes in the peloton thanks to its unique seatstay design. These don’t connect to the seat tube, instead routing around it before linking up with the top tube. It’s a familiar sight, with a version first appearing on the bike in 2016. According to Lapierre, the design “disperses the vibrations in the zone between the two support points (saddle and handlebars); frees the seat tube which gains in flexibility on all its length; and it lightens the bike with the use of carbon fibre in an area with low mechanical constraint”.

 whose components make up a big chunk of Grégoire’s bike, including the Dura-Ace groupset. Shimano is by far the most dominant groupset brand in the pro peloton, sponsoring a majority of WorldTour teams, and that in turn makes Dura-Ace the most used groupset. In Grégoire’s case this is in the form of a fairly standard 54/40t drivetrain and 11-34t cassette. We’re increasingly seeing cassettes with wider ranges like this used at pro level. This set-up will change throughout the race as the demands of the race change.

Alongside the groupset, Shimano’s Dura-Ace C50s are the wheels of choice. We encountered Grégoire’s bike before the first road stage, a rolling route in and around Barcelona on the second day, and the C50s provide a nice balance between light weight and aerodynamics for such a parcours.

Beyond Shimano, Prologo is the other dominant brand, providing the Scratch M5 saddle and white bar tape.

To keep up to date with all the tech latest news from the last Grand Tour of the season, head over to our Tech page, linked 

Thibaut Pinot

Stefan Küng

Lenny Martinez

Valentin Madouas

Laurence Pithie

Romain Grégoire

Arnaud Démare

David Gaudu

Michael Storer

Paul Penhoët

Bruno Armirail

Lewis Askey

Quentin Pacher

Rudy Molard

Kevin Geniets

Sam Watson

Jake Stewart

Olivier Le Gac

Reuben Thompson

Bram Welten

Ignatas Konovalovas

Enzo Paleni

Fabian Lienhard

Lars van den Berg

Clément Davy

Lorenzo Germani

Miles Scotson

Matthieu Ladagnous

Features

Tech Features

2024 Men's WorldTour bikes: A guide to the bikes, groupsets, and tech of the top-tier teams

 is set to deliver another year of unforgettable racing.

Like at the beginning of every season, there will be a short period of familiarisation as teams emerge from their winter hibernations with new riders, kit and, for some, names – It will take us a while, for example, to get used to 

Luckily, there is much more consistency in the realms of 

, where teams only tend to make major changes every few seasons when their current brand partnerships come to an end. 2024 is no different, with most teams riding the same bikes, groupsets and wheels as the previous season, although there are some notable changes.

Here’s a complete guide to all of the bikes, groupsets, wheels and tyres that every team at Men’s WorldTour level will use during the 2024 season.

Tech partnerships can change at any time, so we’ll keep this guide updated as and when any more new partnerships are announced.

Best men's WorldTour bikes of 2023: Which brand won the most races?

WorldTour bike sponsorship changes for 2024

, the bike brand transfer merry-go-round isn’t quite as intense, so there’s always a degree of stability and familiarity. Most teams sign multi-year deals with their selected brands, so the opportunity to swap to a different one only comes around every few seasons - unless a team is willing to break a partnership off early, but that can lead to some public spats, as Lotto Dstny found out in 2023.

Ridley hits back at Lotto Dstny ‘disloyalty’ over early ending of partnership

Luckily, there doesn’t appear to be any such animosity between 

 called an end to their 22-year partnership ahead of the 2024 season

, which also sponsors fellow WorldTour team Astana Qazaqstan. Groupama-FDJ are one of only two men’s WorldTour that swapped bike sponsors for 2024.

 joined them on this list after switching to Decathlon-owned Van Rysel bikes from BMC. AG2R have been partnered with 

 since 2021 and the Swiss brand has been an ever-present in the WorldTour peloton for over a decade.

Lapierre and Groupama-FDJ split after 22 years of collaboration

Elsewhere, there are no changes. That means that the two most successful teams, UAE Team Emirates and Visma-Lease a Bike, will continue to ride 

 bikes, respectively. Ineos Grenadiers’ long-standing partnership with 

 have been joined by Wilier in the list of brands which sponsor more than one team. Canyon is partnered with Alpecin-Deceuninck and Movistar, while Specialized is a long-term partner of Soudal Quick-Step and Bora-Hansgrohe.

Shimano dominance continues, Campagnolo clings to WorldTour status

While Canyon and Specialized win the popularity stakes for bikes, 

 completely eclipses it on the groupset front. The Japanese manufacturer has dominated the WorldTour peloton for a number of years now and it only appears to be getting stronger.

Fourteen of the 18 men's WorldTour teams used the Dura-Ace groupset in 2023 and that number hasn't budged in 2024, although its line-up has changed with Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale hopping aboard from Campagnolo while Bora-Hansgrohe have headed to SRAM.

Mechanical Shimano 105 goes 12-speed and is disc-brake only

 sponsored three teams in 2023 but that is up to four with the addition of Bora. Among the other SRAM-sponsored teams are Visma-Lease a Bike, Lidl-Trek and Movistar. Despite its inferior numbers, SRAM boasts a flawless Grand Tour record in 2023, teaming up with Jumbo-Visma to win the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España.

’s stay at WorldTour level came to an end after AG2R made the switch to Shimano as a part of its partnership with Van Rysel. The historic Italian brand is also absent from the 

Why will Campagnolo be absent from WorldTour level in 2024? GCN Tech Show

Canyon’s bikes have topped the podium at multiple Monuments and Grand Tours over the last few seasons, usually at the hands of either 

. Last year’s palmarès included wins at both Milan-San Remo and Paris-Roubaix, before Philipsen topped off a four-stage haul with the green jersey at the Tour de France.

All of those victories came atop the aero-focussed Aeroad, but the team also uses the lightweight Ultimate for climbing stages.

Ollie Bridgewood’s new Canyon Aeroad CFR in Alpecin-Deceuninck team colours

Few bike brands have as much pedigree within the sport as 

. Its Celeste colourway has become a fan favourite but, beyond the looks, the Italian brand’s bikes have teamed up with some of the biggest names in cycling’s history, including Fausto Coppi.

After Jayco-AlUla jumped to Giant for 2022, Bianchi was briefly left without a home in the WorldTour, but it made a comeback with 

Bianchi launches updated 6.6kg Specialissima road bike

 will be hoping that the Manx Missile can make history by breaking the record for Tour de France stages win in 2024. He’ll attempt to do it atop a 

 bike. Italian brand Wilier and the Kazakh team have been working together since 2020. 

Last season there was some confusion over the team's wheel sponsor with both Corima and HED wheelsets making an appearance, but this year the team has switched to Vision.

Mark Cavendish's Wilier Filante SLR: New pedals, saddle, and wheels for 2024

 since the team’s inception in 2017 and it doesn’t look like that will change anytime soon. The pair extended the partnership into 2022 to an undisclosed time, only stating that it is a “multi-year partnership”. As a minimum, the team will race Merida bikes during the 2024 season, when it will be hoping to build on its 12 WorldTour wins in 2023.

 who added another achievement to the Merida palmarès late in the season when he won the Gravel World Championships atop a then-unreleased 

Bahrain Victorious pro bike: Jack Haig’s Merida Reacto

headlines in late 2023 when they signed Primož Roglič from Jumbo-Visma

. The Slovenian will head up their GC ambitions at the Tour de France where he’ll hope to depose former teammate Jonas Vingegaard.

With a new team comes a new bike in the form of the 

. Released in August of 2023, it’s the latest version of Specialized’s do-it-all superbike. Unlike other brands, Specialized doesn’t offer dedicated climbing and aero bikes, instead packing everything into one machine.

The team also stole the tech headlines over the winter through their 

, which may have been influenced by the arrival of Roglič, who has been using the American brand's groupsets over the last few seasons.

Sam Welsford’s Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8

’ long, 15-year wait for a Tour de France victory to an end in 2023. He delivered the victory atop the 

 795 Blade RS which only broke cover at Eurobike in June, although the team had been riding it since swapping over from De Rosa at the beginning of the season.

Having only linked up for the 2023 season, it appears that it’s already been a 

 partnership for Cofidis, but can it propel them to more victories in 2024?

Bryan Coquard's Look 795 Blade RS: Cofidis’ Do-It-All Superbike

AG2R Citroën is one of the rare teams to switch bike brands for 2024 after Decathlon jumped on-board as co-title sponsors, bringing 

. The team previously rode Decathlon bikes between 2000 and 2007.

That move brought to an end the team's three-year partnership with BMC who will be absent from WorldTour level for the first time in over a decade. The team's switch to Shimano also means that Campagnolo is without a WorldTour team for 2024.

Having previously worked with the now Jayco-AlUla team, 

 in 2021 and the partnership was extended by an extra two years at the beginning of 2023. Along with its Foil, Addict and Plasma bikes, the team also uses finishing kit from Scott’s in-house Syncros brand, including saddles and cockpits. 

This was extended to include time-trial wheels

 in 2023 after Syncros released its Capital SL wheelset.

Racing

News

Race News

Wilier Triestina confirmed as new Groupama-FDJ bike sponsor 

From 2024 Groupama-FDJ will be riding Wilier bikes, joining Astana Qazaqstan who currently use the Italian brand

 will be rolling into the WorldTour in 2024 aboard 

 bikes. The partnership, that officially commences on January 1, will see the French team swap from 

team's existing partnership was set to end

 at the close of 2023, but the new partner was yet to be named. Wilier's arrival as the team's new bike sponsor was confirmed on Wednesday. 

Andrea Gastaldello, executive chairman of Wilier Triestina, said: “We are delighted to announce the start of a new era for Wilier Triestina. As of 1 January 2024, Groupama-FDJ Cycling Team will be racing on our bikes as part of a new multi-year technical sponsorship agreement. This marks an important new beginning, which comes in the wake of our other WorldTour commitment with 

AG2R Citroën and BMC to part ways after three-year partnership

This announcement marks the end of one of the longest cycling team brand sponsorships in the sport. In 2002, the then-Team FDJ began what would become a 22-year partnership with Lapierre bikes.

Marc Madiot, general manager of Groupama FDJ, said: “I am delighted and honoured to announce today that Wilier Triestina has joined the Groupama-FDJ cycling team family as an Official Partner.

“This is the start of a great adventure with a renowned Italian company that has left its mark on the history of cycling. Their enthusiasm and the quality of their technical and engineering teams immediately echoed the standards and attention we pay every day to the quest for the highest performance.”

Groupama-FDJ Team Talk: Rebuilding with success, but can the momentum continue?

Groupama-FDJ has more than 500 victories to its name: in the 26 years since the team was formed they have claimed three Monument victories and 38 Grand Tour stage wins. The team will be hoping that these numbers grow with the riders aboard the new bikes in the coming seasons.

Wilier also confirmed which bikes Groupama-FDJ will be riding in 2024. The 

 will have a special livery dedicated to the team, whilst as far as time trial bikes are concerned the team will be using the Turbine SLR. You won’t have to wait long to get a glimpse of the new bikes in their bespoke colourways, with these set to be revealed on January 1, 2024.

Keep up with all the latest tech news and bikes from the professional peloton in our 

David Gaudu finishes second in icy trail running epic 

David Gaudu is used to battling the cold on his bike, but possibly not in the very earliest hours of the morning

, the best WorldTour riders are increasingly finding off-the-bike activities to supplement their training over the winter. 

 has added his name to that list this off-season, with the Frenchman competing in the legendary trail running event ASICS SaintéLyon on Saturday evening. 

Beset by freezing cold conditions, a blanket of snow covering the hills between Saint-Étienne and Lyon, and a team training camp on the horizon, Gaudu was nonetheless in high spirits when speaking to 

 ahead of the start just before midnight.

“I think trail running is the closest thing to cycling in terms of effort. It's a fight against yourself, like in a mountain pass. There are adversaries, of course, but above all, it's about pushing your limits, you only rely on yourself," he said. 

When asked why the ASICS SaintéLyon was his chosen challenge this winter, the 27-year-old explained that it had long been a challenge set between him and his friend, former French national trail running champion Alexandre Fine. 

The pair competed in the 78km two-man relay race that traversed over 2,000m of elevation gain. Gaudu completed the first half before his teammate took over for the closing kilometres, taking second place at the finish. 

“[It was] a challenge between friends,” Gaudu explained. “It gets me off the bike, it's good for my head because I've always loved running, and it works the muscles a little. 

 always did cross-country skiing in winter, it's his passion. For me, it’s the trail!"

'Thibaut is God for us' – Spending a day with the Collectif Ultras Pinot at Il Lombardia

Gaudu and Fine accomplish a commendable second place in ASICS SaintéLyon 

The ASICS SaintéLyon race is a legendary event in the world of trail running, having been founded by walkers in 1951 and open to competitors since 1977, but it was not to be Gaudu's first rodeo in the sport. 

For the past two years, Gaudu has placed inside the top 20 at the Menestrail in his home region of Brittany, with the proud Breton clocking up a sub-three-hour time earlier this year following a battle with his future ASICS SaintéLyon partner, Fine. 

Setting out on his 34km stretch going into the early hours of Sunday morning, Gaudu had one goal in mind - "to not leave Alex too far from the lead at the relay point" - and they made the exchange sitting in fifth place. 

At the finish line in Lyon, the 2018 national trail running champion has catapulted himself and Gaudu up to second place, with the pair finishing just nine minutes down on the winning pair, Eloi Guigon and Augustin Kerhardy. 

Gaudu suffered a brief fall at the beginning of his relay, but the fan favourite explained that Groupama-FDJ were happy enough to let him compete in a sport that brings him much enjoyment. 

“These are my passions on the side," Gaudu told 

. "Thibaut [Pinot] has this thing too: his goats, his farm. I've been immersed in video games since I was a kid, I've been trail running for several years. These are moments that make us feel good and where we can get our heads off the bike. Because doing 'bike, eat, sleep' days can lead to burnout.”

Next up for Gaudu, he has his eyes on the Diagonale des Fous and the UTMB trail running events - 165km on Reunion Island and 171km around Mont-Blanc, respectively - but first, he will head to Spain at the beginning of this week to participate in a team training camp. 

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How A Bike Tyre Is Made | Pirelli Factory Tour

Name	Age	UCI Career Wins	UCI Points
Thibaut Pinot	33	37	2207
Stefan Küng	30	34	1922
Lenny Martinez	20	8	1722
Valentin Madouas	27	8	1636
Laurence Pithie	21	5	1294

Groupama-FDJ

Groupama-FDJ

The Team

Team Bikes

Vuelta a España pro bike: Romain Grégoire’s Lapierre Xelius SL

Top Groupama-FDJ Stories

2024 Men's WorldTour bikes: A guide to the bikes, groupsets, and tech of the top-tier teams

Wilier Triestina confirmed as new Groupama-FDJ bike sponsor

David Gaudu finishes second in icy trail running epic

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