A new world is opening up for Tiesj Benoot at Decathlon CMA CGM. The Flemish classics rider is closing the door behind him after four years at Visma | Lease a Bike to make one more transfer. But why did he leave? "I actually didn’t have a real reason to leave Visma | Lease a Bike," he tells WielerFlits.
"So far, so good. I’ve had a good four or five weeks already and I’m looking forward to the training camp with the team. Now that’s something a bit more exciting," Benoot explains. "I rode for four years at Visma | Lease a Bike and I felt very comfortable with that team. I have to be honest about that. I didn’t really have a reason to leave. But I’ll be 32 in March and it felt like the last chance to take a step like this. Really out of my comfort zone, to get everything out of the coming years. I signed for three years."
Decathlon CMA CGM is investing heavily and showing serious ambitions for the coming years, where Benoot is expected to play an important role. "It felt like they had a clear vision, a vision I share. It’s ambitious with very talented young riders and it’s always good to be in a team that’s growing. I wanted to be part of that."
"I can feel it already," he says about stepping out of his comfort zone. "You’re sharper, you want to prove yourself more. In any job, it’s dangerous when routine sets in and you stop looking for those extra percentages. I definitely feel sharper now. Now you question everything more, including yourself..."
No longer alongside Wout van Aert
The partnership with Wout van Aert also comes to an end due to Benoot’s departure. "It’s not like I rode everything with Wout, so I’ll find my way alone in Flanders as well," jokes the East Flemish native. "Wout is a team leader who always brings something to the table and we noticed that. But he’s riding for a different team now, so that won’t be a problem."
Tiesj Benoot| Race | Date |
|---|---|
| E3 Saxo Classic | 27 Mar |
| In Flanders Fields | 29 Mar |
| Dwars door Vlaanderen | 1 Apr |
| Ronde van Vlaanderen | 5 Apr |
 Amstel Gold Race | 19 Apr |
| La Flèche Wallonne | 22 Apr |
| Liège-Bastogne-Liège | 26 Apr |
 Tour de France | 4 Jul - 26 Jul |
Regarding 2026, Benoot’s ambitions are clear. For him, the spring season is the most important period of the year. "I think, on paper, I’ll be a bit more prominent, but we have a team that is strong across the board. We don’t have to control the race, so many riders will get their chance. I’m sure we have the team to execute our own plan and go for it tactically. We don’t want to be led by other teams," he looks ahead.
At the team presentation in Lille, the team’s CEO was very ambitious. "The five Monuments are the main pillar of our team, we’re aiming for a top-5 in Roubaix and a victory in one of the five Monuments," he said on that occasion. Benoot feels addressed.
"Of course I want to contribute to the team’s success. I also know my limits and I’ve already managed to win two spring races, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and Strade Bianche. I don’t need to say that my ambition is to ride top-5, but I do aim for more. I want to be at my best level from E3 all the way to Liège and be able to contest the finales. I won’t win a race in the sprint quickly, but I want to be there."
