'Ferrand-Prévot was above the rest' - FDJ-Suez eyes 2026 Tour redemption

FDJ-Suez made a statement in the winter of 2024, signing the likes of Demi Vollering, Juliette Labous and Elise Chabbey to bolster their climbing ranks, signalling their ambition to win the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift in 2025.

Whilst the team came up short on their dream, with 2023 winner Vollering having to settle for second overall behind a dominant Pauline Ferrand-Prévot, Stephen Delcourt’s team will get another roll of the dice next summer, and now know what awaits them in terms of the route for the 2026 edition.

A 21km individual time trial, a visit to Mont Ventoux, and a jam-packed final stage in Nice stand out as some of the highlights of the nine stages that the race organisers have designed, all of which Delcourt appreciated, with the increased focus on making the race challenging, when speaking to DirectVelo at the route presentation.

“It's a very beautiful route, extremely tricky, extremely complete. We'll have to work hard and spend time recognising it, because there are a lot of pitfalls,” said Delcourt to DirectVelo. “But we're used to it with ASO; they're always very beautiful stages. That's why the Tour de France is so beautiful, because it seeks out demanding and spectacular courses.”

Delcourt also acknowledged that his team were simply beaten by the stronger rider in the 2025 edition in the shape of Ferrand-Prévot, and embraces the challenge to turn the script around. "In 2025, no matter the course, we would have lost, because Pauline Ferrand-Prévot was above the rest. Even with a time trial, she would have won," he said. "We had built a team around Demi Vollering to win this 2025 Tour de France. We failed, but we were beaten by a stronger team."

"We can't go back. We had built a team around Demi Vollering to win the 2025 Tour de France. We failed, but we were beaten by a stronger team. We knew she was the most complete of all. Now we have to work to close the gap, raise our game, and aim for victory in 2026," said Delcourt.

Despite the Tour defeat, Delcourt pointed out his pride in the significant milestones that FDJ-Suez achieved in the 2025 season with 22 victories, including GC successes at Vuelta España Femenina, Itzulia Women (both Demi Vollering), Tour de Romandie Fêminin (Elise Chabbey), and Tour of Britain Women (Ally Wollaston), but illustrated he is hungry for more success for his team, particularly at the Tour.

"We finished world number 1 with Demi Vollering, something no French team, men's or women's, has ever achieved," Delcourt said. "But it's true, we'd trade this ranking for the yellow jersey. The yellow jersey is the Holy Grail, even more powerful than the World Champion."

"We can't be satisfied with this season, even though we're incredibly proud. In 20 years, the team has accomplished something incredible. And on a human level, it was probably my easiest season to manage. The girls are fantastic, the staff is motivated. It pushes you to aim even higher,” said Delcourt.

For 2026, FDJ-Suez will trim their roster from 18 to 16 riders and reduce their racing schedule by 5-10% to keep the team fresher for key objectives.

"We preferred to reduce the squad from 18 to 16 riders to race a little less, but with more collective strength," said Delcourt. "We need to protect the women and the staff. The season now runs from mid-November to the end of October, which leaves little time for personal life."

The team manager also outlined further ambitions for the next three seasons, with big races he hopes the team can add to their collection. "We've set ourselves ten major races to tick off by 2028: Strade Bianche, Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Milan-San Remo, the three Ardennes, and the three Grand Tours," said Delcourt.

The 2026 edition of the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift will begin in Lausanne on 1 August and will conclude in Nice on 9 August.