New challenge for Mark Renshaw, who is going to lead Olav Kooij and his brand new sprint train at Decathlon CMA CGM

That Decathlon CMA CGM, as the team will be called from January 1, 2026, is rapidly turning into one of the biggest teams in the peloton is obvious. This winter, for example, the team invested in an entire sprint train around Olav Kooij. The French formation is reinforcing this development by recruiting two new team managers.

"Two team managers will be joining the team from the 2026 season: Mark Renshaw, for the sprint project, and Heinrich Haussler, for for the classics project," the team announced in a press release on Tuesday. "The team is delighted to welcome these two first-rate recruits, whose experience will enrich its sports management team."

Sporting director Sébastien Joly explains the move. "The arrival of Mark Renshaw and Heinrich Haussler is in line with the team's vision of sporting, and international, development. These two new sports directors balance the dynamic between the team's French culture and its Anglo-Saxon riders and staff."

Concrete roles have been devised for both team leaders. "Mark Renshaw will be dedicated to the sprint project, thanks to his experience as a pilot fish and his success as sports director." To that end, the team already brought in Kooij earlier this year, with Daan Hoole, Cees Bol, Tobias Lund Andresen and Robbe Ghys also providing support. The Australian comes over from XDS Astana, where he was team manager.

"Heinrich Haussler will form an excellent team with Luke Rowe and Julien Jurdie for the classics: his genuine passion for these races will be a real asset," Joly continued. "Both are professionals who have been part of the recent evolution of cycling. Their profiles represent a perfect balance between rider experience and sport director experience, with modern working methods."

"I started my career as a professional rider with a French team, so coming back to France really feels like completing a cycle," said Renshaw, who began his pro career in 2003 with FDJ and is now back with a French team. "Working with some of the best sprinters in the peloton, with the aim of going out and winning races at the highest level, is extremely motivating as a sports director."

The 43-year-old Australian is looking forward to getting started. "The whole project is focused on performance, and the presence of a dedicated sprint train was the key element that convinced me to join the team. It's very motivating to be able to build something exceptional for the seasons to come."

Haussler, along with Rowe and others, will focus on the classics. "I'm really looking forward to joining the sports management team. The team will continue to progress and the project for the next few years is very ambitious, so I'm delighted to be part of it. I want to contribute my experience as a rider and sporting director, so that I can pass it on to the younger generation," said the former Bahrain rider.