Former biathlete confirms his commitment to the Decathlon-CMA CGM cycling team for the 2027 season, prioritizing his cycling career over a return to biathlon.
The uncertainty that had lingered for months over the future of Émilien Jacquelin was dispelled with the official announcement of his retention within the Decathlon-CMA CGM team. The champion has chosen to continue his adventure in cycling for the 2027 season, thereby confirming his willingness to dedicate his full time to his new discipline. This decision ends the speculation regarding a potential return to the starting blocks of biathlon, an activity he had previously set aside in favor of his transfer to the professional peloton.
After dominating the biathlon circuits in recent years, Jacquelin has undergone a notable career change. In 2026, he had already stepped away from biathlon events to focus on cycling training, laying the foundations for this transition. His choice to extend with Decathlon-CMA CGM signals organizational and technical stability, which is essential for a rider integrating into a WorldTour structure with the ambition to perform in major stage races and the Classics.
The Decathlon-CMA CGM team benefits from state-of-the-art infrastructure and an experienced sports management team, major assets for supporting an atypical profile like Jacquelin’s. The former biathlete will now have to manage an intense workload on the bike while consolidating his place within a formation where endurance performance is a priority. His experience in managing sustained effort in his former discipline could become a decisive asset in the mountains or during individual time trials.
This news comes in a context where transfers between Olympic disciplines and high-level cycling remain rare. Jacquelin’s journey is attracting media and public attention, with curiosity about how the physical rigor forged on skis translates effectively to the bicycle. Decathlon-CMA CGM supporters can now count on the athlete’s presence throughout the 2027 campaign, without the risk of a contract breach before the season even begins.
By announcing this re-signing, Jacquelin sends a clear message about his determination. He fully owns his career choice and seeks to transform his fame into professional sporting success. The next steps will involve adjusting his specific preparation for cycling races and becoming more familiar with peloton tactics, a field in which he must still gain maturity. His integration will likely be closely followed by observers of international cycling, who are scrutinizing the performances of this double Olympic champion now converted to cycling.
After dominating the biathlon circuits in recent years, Jacquelin has undergone a notable career change. In 2026, he had already stepped away from biathlon events to focus on cycling training, laying the foundations for this transition. His choice to extend with Decathlon-CMA CGM signals organizational and technical stability, which is essential for a rider integrating into a WorldTour structure with the ambition to perform in major stage races and the Classics.
The Decathlon-CMA CGM team benefits from state-of-the-art infrastructure and an experienced sports management team, major assets for supporting an atypical profile like Jacquelin’s. The former biathlete will now have to manage an intense workload on the bike while consolidating his place within a formation where endurance performance is a priority. His experience in managing sustained effort in his former discipline could become a decisive asset in the mountains or during individual time trials.
This news comes in a context where transfers between Olympic disciplines and high-level cycling remain rare. Jacquelin’s journey is attracting media and public attention, with curiosity about how the physical rigor forged on skis translates effectively to the bicycle. Decathlon-CMA CGM supporters can now count on the athlete’s presence throughout the 2027 campaign, without the risk of a contract breach before the season even begins.
By announcing this re-signing, Jacquelin sends a clear message about his determination. He fully owns his career choice and seeks to transform his fame into professional sporting success. The next steps will involve adjusting his specific preparation for cycling races and becoming more familiar with peloton tactics, a field in which he must still gain maturity. His integration will likely be closely followed by observers of international cycling, who are scrutinizing the performances of this double Olympic champion now converted to cycling.
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Source: Ouest-France