Delivering Professional Cycling Equipment for the Tour Down Under

OVERVIEW

CEVA Logistics recently managed a time-critical and technically demanding logistics operation for DECATHLON CMA CGM, transporting professional cycling equipment for the prestigious Tour Down Under. The project involved moving approximately 500 kilograms of high-value bicycles and gear from the team’s performance center at their headquarters in La Motte-Servolex to the race site in Adelaide, Australia, followed by a seamless return leg from Melbourne. This end-to-end logistics solution required the integration of specialized Road, Air, and Event Logistics teams to handle a complex mix of permanent and temporary exports. By providing constant operational oversight, CEVA ensured that every piece of equipment arrived in peak condition, ready for the start of the competition.

Challenges

Time Constraints: Managing a very late handover, as riders were still utilizing their bicycles for training until the day before the export cut-off.
Extended Surface Transit: Coordinating a secure ground transport leg from the team's headquarters in La Motte-Servolex to Lyon Airport (LYS) to meet strict airfreight departure windows.
Complex Customs Requirements: Navigating the technicalities of an ATA carnet for high-value sporting goods.
High-Value Cargo: Ensuring the integrity and security of 8 m³ of fragile, professional-grade sporting equipment across multiple transport legs.
Stakeholder Synchronization: Coordinating multiple airlines, ground handlers, and customs authorities across multiple time zones during the busy holiday period.

SOLUTION

CEVA designed a customized multi-modal transport solution beginning with a dedicated road transit from the La Motte-Servolex performance center, followed by air routing with capacity pre-bookings and controlled connection times. The team implemented a strategic segregation of cargo, distinguishing between permanent exports and those under the ATA carnet to ensure precise documentary treatment. This included coordinating directly with authorities at Lyon Airport for on-site validation and ensuring Australian partners were fully briefed on arrival and return processing.

Operationally, the solution relied on handling solutions specifically for professional bikes, including specialized positioning in ULDs and "do not stack" protocols to prevent damage. A dedicated control tower monitored every transport milestone in real-time—from the initial pickup at the team headquarters through the final return delivery. This proactive approach allowed the team to adjust schedules dynamically when faced with late equipment availability. By combining technical customs expertise with reactive capacity management, CEVA provided a secure, transparent pathway for the equipment through every checkpoint.

RESULTS

The operation achieved 100% on-time performance for both the outbound delivery to Adelaide and the return to France. All professional bikes and technical gear were delivered without damage or loss, successfully meeting the mandatory pre-race deadline. Furthermore, CEVA ensured full administrative compliance, successfully closing the ATA carnet and managing re-import formalities without delay, reinforcing supply chain reliability for future international sporting events.