From the 2026 season, Frenchman Lionel Marie will join UAE Team ADQ as a new Sports Director. Born in Cherbourg, Normandy, the 60-year-old brings with him vast international experience and is now ready to embark on a new adventure in women’s cycling after spending the past four years in China.
Marie began his career in cycling as a coach at a Sport Étude (sports school) before taking on the role of the developing cycling in the Normandy region for the French Cycling Federation.
In October 2000, Roger Legeay, then Team Manager of Crédit Agricole, created a development team and invited him to join. Four years later, when the UCI launched the WorldTour, Marie started working with several WorldTour teams.
“One of my fondest memories is being part of Team Garmin-Cervélo’s success, winning four stages at the Tour de France and taking the Best Team classification,” recalls Marie.
Since then, Lionel Marie has gained extensive experience as a Sports Director and Team Manager with Torku Continental Team and China Anta Mentech Continental Team. His time in China allowed him, up until this year, to serve as coach of the Chinese National Team, leading them at the Paris Olympic Games, UCI World Championships, and Asian Championships.
Now, a new chapter of his long career begins. “During this year’s Tour de France Femmes, I was very impressed by the fighting spirit of UAE Team ADQ,” Marie explained, sharing how the first contact with the team came about. “Even after losing their leader early in the race, they kept racing aggressively and went on to win stages. I was also struck by the team’s organization and how they share their journey with fans online. This professionalism and determination convinced me to become part of this project.”
“My first goal,” the French sports director continues, “is to learn and embrace the team’s philosophy. As the saying goes, TEAM means Together Everyone Achieves More, and I’m proud to be part of this puzzle, working to bring the team to the top of the WorldTour as quickly as possible. I bring with me decades of international experience, strong leadership, and a deep passion for rider development and winning strategies.”
When asked about his greatest strength, Lionel Marie replies: “If I had to choose just one, it would be passion, closely followed by honesty – values that guide every decision I make, both in cycling and in life.”
