Decathlon’s Swiss move explains late Seixas reinforcements, but may have cost the team a rising star to Visma

Decathlon CMA CGM confirmed the arrivals of Ben O’Connor, Pavel Sivakov and Laurens De Plus on Tuesday, adding three experienced Grand Tour riders to its climbing squad for 2027.

The signings underline the French team's ambition to build around Paul Seixas, who recently claimed a landmark victory at Il Lombardia and is attracting interest from some of cycling's biggest teams.

But the timing was unusual. While most WorldTour teams had already announced their major transfers, Decathlon waited until late October to confirm deals reportedly agreed months earlier.

According to reporting by HLN, the delay was linked to the team's decision to relocate its paying agent from France to Switzerland. The restructuring complicated the contractual process for incoming riders and those negotiating extensions.

The move is intended to improve Decathlon's financial competitiveness, particularly as the team prepares for potentially expensive negotiations to extend Seixas' contract beyond 2027.

Seixas is contracted to Decathlon until the end of 2027, and retaining the Frenchman is expected to require a significant financial commitment.

As HLN reports, French employers face social security contributions of approximately 40 to 45 percent on top of rider salaries. Moving the team's paying agent to Switzerland could substantially reduce those costs.

The new entity, DECATHLON CYCLING TEAM SUISSE SA, is registered in Switzerland, and could give Decathlon greater financial flexibility as it prepares to negotiate a contract extension with Seixas. 

However, the administrative transition also explains why several major transfers remained unannounced for months.

HLN reports that Sivakov's transfer from UAE Team Emirates-XRG had effectively been agreed as early as March, while O'Connor and De Plus reached agreements with Decathlon during the summer.

However, the legal transition to the Swiss structure meant incoming riders and those negotiating extensions initially signed letters of intent rather than definitive contracts.

These agreements were conditional on the team completing its administrative restructuring and the riders passing the required medical examinations and screening.

Crucially, the letters of intent included a September 30 deadline. If a final contract had not been signed by that date, the agreement could lapse, allowing the rider to pursue opportunities elsewhere.

That did not mean existing Decathlon riders could automatically terminate their contracts because of the relocation. The reported uncertainty concerned specific new agreements and extensions affected by the restructuring.

With the transfers now confirmed, O'Connor returns to the French organisation from Jayco AlUla on a deal through 2028. De Plus joins from Ineos on a contract running until the same year, while Sivakov arrives from UAE Team Emirates-XRG through 2029.

But that same deadline also created an opportunity for Visma to sign one of Decathlon's most promising young riders.

Belgian climbing prospect Seff Van Kerckhove will join Visma | Lease a Bike's development squad in 2027, despite previously agreeing on a development pathway with Decathlon.

According to HLN, the 18-year-old signed a letter of intent with the French team earlier this year, outlining an improved development programme through 2030. The agreement included an initial period within the development structure and guarantees of a pathway towards the professional ranks.

However, the agreement was subject to the same September 30 deadline as other contracts affected by the Swiss relocation.

When that deadline passed without a definitive contract, Van Kerckhove was free to negotiate with other teams.

HLN reports that his management subsequently explored alternative offers, with Visma ultimately securing his signature.

The timing was significant. Since agreeing to his original development pathway, Van Kerckhove had established himself as one of the most promising climbers in junior cycling.

Victories at the junior Strade Bianche, the Alpenklassieker and the Giro della Lunigiana during 2026 had considerably strengthened his reputation.

Van Kerckhove was legally free to join Visma after his letter of intent expired. The Dutch team seized the opportunity, leaving Decathlon with an uncomfortable irony: a restructuring designed to help retain Paul Seixas may have contributed to the loss of another exceptional climbing prospect.