Decathlon, the global sporting goods retailer, is deepening its commitment to elite athletic performance with a novel partnership as the official nutrition partner of the DECATHLON CMA CGM TEAM, a WorldTour cycling team. The collaboration, announced by Fabien BROSSE of Decathlon, signifies a major step in the company’s two-decade investment in sports nutrition, moving beyond product development to a co-development approach with professional athletes.
Brosse, in a LinkedIn post on February 25, 2026, highlighted the partnership as an acceleration of Decathlon’s expertise in the field. “We have been building strong expertise in sports nutrition for over 20 years,” he wrote. “This partnership marks a new step: accelerating and elevating that expertise alongside elite athletes.” The agreement, effective January 1, 2026, will see Decathlon supporting the World Tour, Continental, and Junior teams of DECATHLON CMA CGM TEAM, integrating the demands of high-performance cycling directly into their research and development processes.
A key element of this collaboration is Decathlon’s new 1:0.8 range of sports nutrition products. This range is based on a scientifically validated glucose/fructose ratio, designed to maximize energy absorption – up to 120g of carbohydrates per hour – during prolonged endurance efforts. Brosse emphasized the rigorous testing and refinement behind the new range, crediting the R&D, nutrition teams, and riders for their relentless operate. “We develop for the highest level — and make that performance accessible to every endurance athlete,” he stated.
Fueling the Pro Peloton and Beyond
The DECATHLON CMA CGM TEAM, with over 30 years of experience in the professional cycling world, competes at the highest level of the WorldTour. The team’s website provides information on riders, schedules, and news. This partnership isn’t simply about branding; it’s about a reciprocal exchange of knowledge. Decathlon gains invaluable insights from elite athletes pushing the boundaries of endurance, even as the team benefits from cutting-edge nutritional science and product development.
Zoe Laarman, a member of the Decathlon Nutrition team, echoed this sentiment, stating that the range was “co-developed and powered by champions, built from elite performance demands but also made accessible to the many.” This accessibility is a core tenet of Decathlon’s philosophy, aiming to bring high-performance technology and nutrition to athletes of all levels.
A Collaborative R&D Approach
The LinkedIn post from Fabien BROSSE specifically acknowledges the contributions of several individuals instrumental in bringing the partnership to fruition: Vincent Doenlen, Melanie Deschuyteneer, Saskia Mamzed PhD, Wim Devos, Louise Doutrelant, Camille Turban, and Florence Delhon-Bugard, alongside Lucas Blondel. Florence Delhon-Bugard, whose LinkedIn profile highlights her experience in R&D project management at Decathlon France, appears to have played a key role in the development process.
The co-development approach is particularly noteworthy. Rather than simply sponsoring a team and providing products, Decathlon is actively integrating athlete feedback and performance data into its R&D pipeline. This iterative process allows for continuous improvement and ensures that products are tailored to the specific needs of elite athletes. Samuel Rivero Suárez, commenting on BROSSE’s post, noted that this move represents a “strategic positioning” for Decathlon, going “deep into performance nutrition” rather than simply expanding its product line.
The Science Behind the 1:0.8 Ratio
The 1:0.8 glucose/fructose ratio in Decathlon’s new range is based on established scientific principles regarding carbohydrate absorption. Fructose absorption is slower than glucose, and combining the two in a specific ratio can maximize the amount of carbohydrate the body can absorb per hour, minimizing gastrointestinal distress. This is crucial for endurance athletes who require a sustained energy supply during prolonged efforts.
The ability to absorb up to 120g of carbohydrates per hour represents a significant advancement in sports nutrition. Traditional recommendations often capped carbohydrate intake at around 60-90g per hour, limiting the energy available to athletes during intense, long-duration events. This new range aims to overcome that limitation, providing athletes with the fuel they need to maintain peak performance.
Looking Ahead
The partnership between Decathlon and the DECATHLON CMA CGM TEAM is poised to yield further innovations in sports nutrition. The ongoing co-development process will likely lead to new products and refinements to existing formulations, driven by the demands of elite cycling. The success of this collaboration could also pave the way for similar partnerships in other endurance sports, further solidifying Decathlon’s position as a leader in the field. The next key event for the DECATHLON CMA CGM TEAM is the Grand Prix de Denain – Porte du Hainaut, where fans can potentially win VIP tickets through a contest on the team’s website.
This collaboration represents a significant investment in the future of sports nutrition, and a commitment to providing athletes of all levels with the tools they need to achieve their full potential. What are your thoughts on the growing intersection of sports science and product development? Share your comments below.
