Catawiki and Groupama-FDJ continue their successful partnership, bringing fans closer to the cycling world through exclusive experiences
The auction offers an immersive opportunity to train with the Groupama-FDJ team at their Performance Center, complete with expert guidance and behind-the-scenes access
In addition, fans and collectors can bid on 15 iconic race and time-trial bikes from the 2024 season
Auction running From November 22 to December 1st
Amsterdam, 26 November 2024 Ever dreamed of preparing for a cycling competition with one of the most elite teams in the world of cycling? This is your chance. Catawiki, the leading online marketplace for special objects, is offering cycling enthusiasts an exclusive opportunity to join the Groupama-FDJ cycling Team in 2025 — combining world-class human expertise and state-of-art technology for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The Experience
The journey begins with a day at Groupama-FDJ Performance Center in Besançon, led by Francis Mourey, former team rider and current team mechanics expert. The winner will undergo a personalised bike fitting session with Mourey to optimise riding position, receive a tailored nutrition consultation, and learn about cutting-edge recovery techniques, including a cryotherapy session. A private tour of the Performance Center’s advanced training facilities is also included, allowing the winner to have a glimpse into the tools and techniques that shape elite cyclists. In short, fully immersive experience into the routines of world-class athletes.
But that’s not all. In addition to the pre-competition preparation and a complete 2025 pro-kit including jersey, bib shorts, helmet, as well as monthly follow-ups with Francis Mourey, the experience rounds off with an exclusive 5-day training camp at the French Road Cycling Championships in Les Herbiers, Vendée, where VIP access to the race offers the perfect finale to this one-of-a-kind year-long journey.
“Through this unique experience, we wanted to give a cycling enthusiast the rare opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of professional cycling, seeing firsthand the dedication, precision, and spirit that drive our team”, commented Marc Madiot, Groupama-FDJ General Manager.
Ana Maria Covrig, former pro-cyclist and Sports Memorabilia Expert at Catawiki, said: “Opportunities like this don’t come around often; this is every sports fan’s dream! To step into the shoes of a pro, to live that lifestyle, to experience the highs and lows of a full season. If you’re ready to take your passion to the next level, this is your moment!”
Race and Time-Trial Bikes up for Auction
The excitement of this auction goes beyond the experience itself. Bidders will have access to 12 race bikes and 3 time-trial bikes from the 2024 season—the first-ever auction featuring bikes produced by Wilier, the new team’s official manufacturing partner. Among them:
French Champion-livery Wilier Filante SLR ridden by Valentin Madouas, estimated at €10,000 - 20.000 | Stefan Küng’s Filante SLR, which he powered through Paris-Roubaix to a top-5 finish and rode in both the Tour de France and La Vuelta, estimate at €10,000-20.000 |
David Gaudu’s Filante SLR, used in his Tour du Jura and Tour du Luxembourg victories, estimated at €10.000-20,000 | Lenny Martinez’s Filante SLR, which saw four wins across key races including the Classic Var and Laigueglia, estimated at €10,000-20.000 |
This exclusive auction is live from November 22nd to December 1st, exclusively on Catawiki.
ENDS
Editors notes
High resolution images can be downloaded here.
About Catawiki
Catawiki is the leading online platform for special objects that fulfil people's passions. More than 75,000 items are offered for auction each week, each examined and selected by one of Catawiki's hundreds of in-house experts specialising in art, design, jewellery, fashion, classic cars, collectables and much more. Catawiki is headquartered in Amsterdam and has over 750 employees worldwide. Express your passion on catawiki.com or download the app.
About Groupama-FDJ cycling team
At the start of the 1997 season and thanks to the passion of Marc and Yvon Madiot, the Française des Jeux cycling team was born. 2018 marks a turning point in the team's history, with the arrival of Groupama, a new title-partner. The association of these two major players in French sport gives birth to the Groupama-FDJ cycling team. In 27 years, the team has racked up over 520 victories, including 14 French Champion jerseys, 3 cycling Monuments and 41 Grand Tour stages. Intrinsically linked to the development of sporting results, the subject of performance is a major focus of the team's DNA. Thanks to a Performance Center and an R&D unit that work tirelessly on equipment and rider health at the Besançon Performance Center, the Groupama-FDJ cycling team makes it a point of honour to continue to develop in order to achieve excellence in the field of innovation, without ever abandoning its ethical principles. The Groupama-FDJ cycling team, a founding member of the Mouvement pour un Cyclisme Crédible (MPCC) (Movement for Credible Cycling), has also been committed to medical and technological transparency from the outset, and is determined to fight for strict compliance with the rules. From the "Cycle Formation" program set up in 2003 with FDJ to the arrival of Groupama in 2018, which saw the dream of creating a Continental team and a Juniors Program come to fruition, support for tomorrow's talent, training and confidence in the future have always been its main priorities. The loyalty of title-partners such as Groupama and FDJ, or partners such as Shimano, who have been working alongside Marc Madiot for over 20 years, as well as the loyalty of the riders... Groupama-FDJ is a high-performance company with strong human values, in which everyone is a key player and has the opportunity to develop, both in sporting and human terms.
