As one of the French Pro Teams in the Ski Classics Pro Tour, Team Nordic Expérience (TNE) continues to build a unique identity rooted in passion, development, and versatility.
Entering Season XVII, Pro Team Director Maxime Grenard reflects on the new calendar, race formats, and the challenges — and optimism — that shape Team Nordic Expérience Coste-Marcel Petite’s outlook.
A Logical Calendar, But December Feels Too Quiet
Grenard sees positives in the Season XVII Ski Classics calendar, especially regarding travel efficiency.
“My first impression is quite positive. There is a logical progression in terms of geographical travel, which is important both financially and ecologically,” says Pro Team Director Maxime Grenard to Ski Classics and ProXCskiing.com.
Still, he notes an area for improvement: “It would have been nice to have more than one race weekend in December. The March block will be tough, but it’s a real challenge.”
And while no French event is currently on the calendar, Grenard remains hopeful.
“For us, it would be truly fantastic to have a stage in France — it would help develop this discipline in our country and attract new sponsors.”
Also Read: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII 2025/2026
New Formats Spark Mixed Emotions
Season XVII brings innovation with the addition of the Bedřichov Sprint in the Czech Republic and the 50km Individual Time Trials in Grönklitt, Sweden.
Grenard acknowledges the potential but remains cautious.
“The 50 km ITT is a very specific type of event. It could give different types of athletes a chance to perform and stand out. But in terms of visibility, it’s not appealing at all. People already struggle to follow cross-country skiing, and with this format, we risk losing them entirely — at least in France.”
On the Bedřichov Sprint, he’s more optimistic:
“It should bring a breath of fresh air and a new dynamic for both athletes and spectators. Pairing it with a ‘classic’ race is a great idea.”
Season XVI: Development, Resilience, and Versatility
Reflecting on the previous season, Grenard highlights a long list of positives from both the Ski Classics Pro Tour and other competition formats.
“Last season, we started with a very young and inexperienced roster. The goal was to discover and improve for most of them. We had a smooth preparation phase, bringing long-term injured athletes back to form, and some, like Antoine Millet, progressed faster than we expected. Amélie Suiffet impressed us in her first season in Ski Classics.”
Beyond the Pro Tour, TNE also shone in traditional formats:
“We performed well in traditional World Cup races and skate-style long-distance events in France and abroad — from the World Cup and Tour de Ski with Sabin Coupat to the U23 Worlds with Mathieu Blanc and World Championships with Candide Pralong.”
Also Read: Final Ski Classics standings Season XVI – All bib winners
The story continues below.
Looking Ahead: Balancing Ambition and Sustainability
For Season XVII, the focus remains broad: competing and performing across multiple disciplines while maintaining a unified team spirit at Ski Classics, French and European skate style long-distance competitions, and traditional events at the national, European, and international levels.
“The younger athletes will have to learn, while the more experienced ones will need to deliver,” Grenard explains and adds: “The motto is to give our best individually, supported by a collective that pushes everyone to rise higher.”
But beyond athletic goals, TNE is acutely aware of the broader challenges:
“The major challenge ahead lies beyond sports: how can we survive while snow and funding become increasingly scarce? We need to reinvent ourselves and think differently. Fortunately, we are passionate and resourceful — we always manage to find solutions.”
Roster Update and a Renewed Commitment
TNE recently presented its full lineup for the 2025/2026 season during its annual gathering, uniting athletes, staff, volunteers, and partners.
This year’s team includes 14 main athletes and 6 associates across three key projects:
- Ski Classics (dedicated to the classic long-distance circuit)
- Skate-style long-distance (with a strong presence on the French Marathon Ski Tour)
- Traditional cross-country skiing (focused on traditional events – French, European, and World Cups – with Olympic ambitions for some athletes)
While some staff adjustments were necessary for financial, organizational, and logistical reasons, the core leadership remains. Maxime Grenard continues as head coach and team manager, with Antoine Tarantola and newcomer Eliot Serra supporting on the technical and logistical fronts.
A word from the President Fabien Coste captures the spirit of the team:
“In a tough economic context, we managed to put together a budget that allows us to have a well-balanced team present on all fronts. Huge thanks to all our partners!” Coste says and adds:
“It’s not easy to compete abroad with teams whose budgets are more than ten times ours. But thanks to everyone’s exceptional commitment, we managed to make our mark.”
A Balanced Team, Ready to Rise
As Grenard looks toward the first training camp and a new season of challenges and opportunities, his tone is confident:
“More new faces in the team this season, but we’ve managed to keep a solid foundation while adding some fresh blood. This is a balanced team, ready to proudly and honorably represent the colors and values of TNE across all cross-country skiing circuits, in France and abroad,” Grenard says, adding that:
“The arrival of new faces brings a breath of fresh air and marks the beginning of exciting new athletic and human projects!”
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Author: Leandro Lutz
Top Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus
