Paul Lapeira
Paul Lapeira, born 28 May 2000 in Fougères, France, is a French road racing cyclist who rides for the WorldTour team Decathlon CMA CGM (formerly Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale). A punchy all-rounder who thrives on hilly, demanding one-day races, Lapeira enjoyed a breakout 2024 that culminated in the French national road race title on roads close to his childhood home. He has since added strong Classics performances and stage-race results, confirming his place among France's most promising young racers. Find Paul Lapeira's latest results, stats and race calendar on this page.
Biography of pro cyclist Paul Lapeira
Paul Lapeira is a versatile French rider built for the hilly Classics and aggressive, opportunistic racing. Equally comfortable in a long breakaway or a reduced finish, he has become one of the leaders of his home WorldTour team.
His rise has been homegrown in every sense: from the AG2R development structure to the senior squad, and from regional French races to the national champion's jersey, Lapeira represents the new generation of French talent.
Early life and rise
Lapeira grew up in Fougères, in Brittany, and trained on the very roads that would later host his proudest victory. He progressed through AG2R La Mondiale's junior and under-23 development teams before turning professional with the senior squad in 2022.
His early professional seasons showed steady improvement, with the climbing legs and finishing speed needed for France's punchy terrain. By 2024 he was ready to make a major leap forward.
Breakout 2024 and the French national title
The 2024 season was the making of Lapeira. He won five races across the year, including a stage of the Itzulia Basque Country, before claiming the biggest prize of all: the French national road race championship. Racing in a three-man move alongside Julien Bernard and Thomas Gachignard, he timed the final uphill kick perfectly to take the tricolour jersey. Days later he added victory at La Polynormande as the newly crowned national champion.
Classics form and 2025–2026 results
Wearing the French champion's colours, Lapeira built on his breakthrough with consistent results in the hilly Classics and one-week stage races. In 2026 he finished second overall at the Étoile de Bessèges and took a quietly impressive seventh place at Amstel Gold Race, confirming that his best terrain remains the rolling, attritional one-day events of the spring.
Rider profile: strengths, style, and characteristics
Lapeira is a punchy all-rounder. At around 1.76m and 64kg he climbs well on short, sharp ascents, has a useful turn of speed from a small group, and races with the aggression of a rider unafraid to commit to long-range moves. Those traits make him a natural fit for Ardennes-style Classics and the hillier days of stage races.
Personal life
Lapeira is from Fougères and has spoken warmly about the meaning of winning the national title close to home, on roads he trained on as a child. That local connection has made him a popular figure with French fans.
Records and milestones
- French National Road Race Champion: 2024
- Stage winner, Itzulia Basque Country: 2024
- Winner, La Polynormande: 2024
- 2nd overall, Étoile de Bessèges: 2026
- 7th, Amstel Gold Race: 2026
What's next for Paul Lapeira?
With his contract extended through 2027, Lapeira is positioned as a Classics card and stage-hunter for Decathlon CMA CGM. The next step is converting his strong placings in the hilly one-day races into wins at WorldTour level, while continuing to push for selection and opportunities at the Tour de France.
