Ireland's Sam Bennett says he hopes to ride a Grand Tour next year after signing a new three year contract. Homepage photo by George Doyle.
By Gerard Cromwell
Sam Bennett has signed an extension to his current contract with the NetApp Endura team that will see him stay with the squad until the end of the 2017 season.
The 23-year-old Carrick-On-Suir native has had a fantastic start to his professional career with four victories so far. And even though his end of season has been ruined somewhat by a virus, the German team due to be renamed BORA next year had no hesitation in signing the young sprinter.
“When we brought Sam on board, we were all clear about his potential," said team manager Ralph Denk today.
"Although we’re delighted at his successes this year, we are always thinking a few steps ahead. This also includes the establishment of a sprint train, for which he will take responsibility.
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"This development is an investment and it will take time, but despite his young age, Sam has shown a great deal of foresight in opting for this continuity now.
"I'm delighted that we will be able to focus entirely on winning in the coming season”.
After opening his account with victory at the Clasica de Almeria in Spain, Bennett also notched up wins at Rund um Köln and Bayern Rundfarht as well as a pro kermesse in Belgium this season.
No less than 10 top-five results, including second place in the Berlin Velothon and third on the second stage of the Tour of Britain see Bennett currently ranked 8th in the UCI Europe Tour.
With four victories under his belt already this season, the new BORA team will build a lead out train around Sam Bennett for next year.
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“I am delighted to stay with the team for the next three years," said Bennett today.
"The start to my professional career has been great with the team and I'm already looking forward to next season.
"Having this year under my belt and with the experience I gained, I want to step up another level to bring the team even more success next year.
"Also I hope to start a Grand Tour, which will help my development again.
"I get amazing support from all the staff and my teammates, who have never let me down and I can't wait to work with the guys next year to pull off some big results”.
As well as extending Bennett's current contract, in an effort to give him the best possible support in the sprints, the squad have also extended the contracts of all of his lead-out men and also brought in a few more with Kiwi Shane Archbold also signing with the team for next year.
Archbold, who recently took second place on a stage of the Tour of Britain, will reunite with Bennett next year after the duo previously rode together on the An Post Chain Reaction team in 2013.
A regular winner at the An Post Ras, Kiwi Shane Archbold will link up with Bennett again next year on the BORA squad.
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