US National champion Kate Courtney joins Demi Vollering's FDJ-Suez squad, effective immediately
CyclingMonday, 13 July 2026 at 20:56
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Follow us on GoogleFDJ-Suez announced the signing of Kate Courtney on Monday. The 30-year-old American had not competed in road races for a long time and had focused solely on mountain biking, but she made a big impression this year by becoming the U.S. champion immediately after a 15-year hiatus from road racing. Courtney has signed a contract through the end of 2028 and will join the team immediately.
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Courtney made a name for herself in mountain biking by becoming the 2018 world champion in cross-country mountain biking and winning the World Cup in 2019. She recently competed in a road race for the first time since she was sixteen. She won that race right away and went on to claim the U.S. title shortly thereafter.
"Kate is a remarkable athlete with a particularly promising profile for short, intense efforts. We have the opportunity to support her as she explores the world of European cycling," said Stephen Delcourt, manager of FDJ-Suez.
"FDJ-Suez has always been committed to welcoming athletes who excel in disciplines other than road cycling. It is this mix of backgrounds and cultures that drives our team forward in our pursuit of top performance and in our ambition to make our mark on women’s sports."
Read more below the photo!
Kate Courtney is one of the best female MTB riders in the world.
Courtney knows her race schedule
"It's hard to put into words what I'm going through right now, because I didn't expect to reach the World Tour level so quickly. "I’m incredibly motivated to take on this huge challenge, so I can truly discover what I’m capable of—as an athlete and as a woman—in this final chapter of my career," said Courtney.
"I am incredibly grateful to Stephen and the entire team for recognizing my potential and giving me this opportunity to pursue such an ambitious dream. Even from the outside, it’s clear that FDJ-Suez is building something truly exceptional. The way the team races—with aggression, guts, and complete trust in one another—has always inspired me as a fan.”
"And now, as a rider, it inspires me even more. I’ve finally found the team I’ve been looking for since the start of my career, and I can’t wait to learn, improve, and pursue one of the most ambitious goals of my athletic career," said Courtney, who already knows her schedule: she’ll start with La Périgord Ladies and then ride La Picto-Charentaise and the Lloyds Tour of Britain Women.
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
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Latest Comments
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