Sam Bennett is tipped - though not confirmed - to move on from Bora-hansgrohe at the end of this season, though another one of his current lead-out men has committed to the team, even though he is retiring from racing.
Shane Archbold has now joined Ryan Mullen and Danny van Poppel - all of whom joined the team with Bennett as his lead-out train - in confirming he is staying with Bora-hansgrohe. His racing career comes at an end at the conclusion of Gree-Tour of Guangxi (2.UWT) next Tuesday.
Mullen has already secured a new two-year contract with Bora-hansgrohe while Van Poppel has a new three-year deal, with both set to be part of the lead-out duties for new sprinter signing, Sam Welsford, next season.
Archbold will start a new chapter in his career in cycling when he becomes a sports director with the German World Tour team immediately after he stops racing. Bora-hansgrohe is also bringing in Patxi Vila as a director. He is s former pro who previously worked as a DS for the team before going to Team Movistar for the last three years.
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The directors line-up is being beefed up as Primož Roglič has signed for Bora-hansgrohe, from Jumbo Visma, with the intention of aiming for Grand Tour success over the next couple of years.
Rolf Aldag, head of aports at Bora-hansgrohe, said the team was delighted to sign up Archbold as a director given his knowledge of the cycling's top flight.
"As a rider, Shane always had an opinion, and he held it," said Aldag. "Shane is very professional and has a very deep insight into strategies. From a DS point of view, we are happy that he is now taking the next step and giving young riders the chance to benefit from his experience."
Archbold said he was really looking forward to swapping his bike for the director's chair, with a team he has spent six years with.
"I'm very pleased that the team has given me the opportunity to continue to be part of the team and to move into this new role as a sports director," he said. "Working with the neo-pros on the team will be exciting. This way, I can pass on my experience and knowledge to the future of Bora-hansgrohe. I will work together with the guys to get the best out of themselves."
