Published on : 10/02/2026
He was part of the sporting management team when the squad was created in 2021. The partnership came to an end after two seasons. Following spells with other teams, Gaël Le Bellec is now returning to take charge of the women's team. Cofidis is reuniting the trio of sports directors who were in place when the team was launched, with Grégoire Le Calvé also returning, while Arthur Quillec continues his journey with the team.
He was at the helm of the first Cofidis women's team. Joining in 2021, Gaël Le Bellec played an active role in creating the squad. In particular, he insisted that the team should combine young riders, such as 21-year-old Victoire Berteau, with more experienced riders, including Rachel Neylan and Clara Koppenburg. Under his leadership, the riders secured their first victories (one in 2022 and six in 2023) and won the French national title with Victoire Berteau in 2023.
“Involving everyone in the performance process”
After leaving Cofidis
“for personal reasons”, Gaël joined Arkéa – B&B Hotels again (2024–2025) before moving to Ma Petite Entreprise this year. He is now back with the northern French team. His objective? To help the team grow so that it can join the UCI Women's WorldTour in the medium term. To achieve this, Gaël wants to “involve everyone in the performance process”.
“I want there to be a lot of listening and for everyone, both the riders and the staff, to be able to put forward ideas to improve everything that can be improved.”He also stresses the importance of a
“supportive environment”in order to
“enjoy ourselves”,which he sees as a prerequisite for “performing at our best” throughout the season.
Gaël is not returning to the team alone: he will be joined by Grégoire Le Calvé.
“For me, he is one of the best sports directors tactically,”Gaël explains. They will be reunited with Arthur Quillec, who was also there when the women's team was created. Gaël, Grégoire and Arthur will therefore reform the trio they made up in the team's early days.
“I never imagined that we would be able to bring our trio back together,”Gaël says with a smile.
“It makes us even more motivated to make the Cofidis team shine!”
THEY SAID
Gaël Le Bellec, Sports Director:
“I really want to finish what I started back in 2021. I left with a feeling of unfinished business and the certainty that we could go even further and achieve even more with this team. Cofidis has always held a special place in my heart and I have maintained very good relationships with the team. I am really keen to help the team make it to the WorldTour. I can feel a great deal of confidence and determination within Cofidis to help the team grow. Raphaël Jeune (General Manager) and Patrick Delcambre (Secretary General) are giving me a great deal of freedom to start building for next year, which makes me even more enthusiastic. Before embarking on this new chapter, I would like to warmly thank Ma Petite Entreprise, a team for which I will always have great affection.”
Raphaël Jeune, General Manager:
“I am delighted to welcome Gaël Le Bellec back to the Cofidis team. For several years now, he has been recognised and highly regarded for his professionalism and his in-depth knowledge of women’s cycling. Gaël left with a sense of unfinished business, so there is naturally a great deal of pleasure in seeing him return to the team. I am certain that he will put everything in place to enable our women’s team to aim even higher, without ever putting up barriers or setting limits for themselves!”