Sam Bennett has begun the New Year in the traditional way of a pro cyclist who changed teams over the winter - posting some photos of himself in his new team kit.
The Carrick-on-Suir man has, of course, signed for (very) French World Tour team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. He left Bora-hansgrohe after a two-year stint, which was his second period riding for German squad.
Bennett (33) had flagged some time ago he was on his way out of Bora-hansgrohe, after a muted return there, though it still yielded two Vuelta stage wins. He was finally unveiled as a Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale rider at a team launch just over a month ago.
“There’s many things that influenced this,” he said at the time of his decision to ride for the team started 31 years ago by Vincent Lavenu, who remains the general manager.
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“When I was a young amateur rider I was watching Nico Roche and Philip Deignan in the team, and they’re riders I looked up to,” he said of Roche riding for the team for six years to 2012 and Deignan, who rode for the French outfit for four years to 2008.
“And then, of course, I saw the big opportunity to come to this team to get an amazing race program and to work with Van Rysel, which is fantastic. I think it’s the best environment for me to be able to reach my top level. So I’m excited, it’s a new adventure.”
The team is set to ride Van Rysel bikes – owned by the French sports retail chain Decathlon – next year. Decathlon – which previously worked with the team from 2002 to 2007 – was also unveiled as a new title sponsor last month.
The sponsorship with Decathlon – which will also supply Van Rysel helmets and glasses – has been agreed on a five-year basis as the retailer seeks to corner a larger section of the ‘experienced cyclist’ market.
