Sam Bennett sees dual role for himself at Q36.5 Pro Cycling | Sticky Bottle

*Sam Bennett worked with Kurt Bogaerts over a decade ago, at An Post-Sean Kelly-Chainreaction, when they were both learning the ropes, hoping to break into the pro game*

Sam Bennett's exit from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale was officially confirmed only a matter of days when his place for next season was confirmed. And that will be at ProContinental team Q36.5 Pro Cycling.

Though Bennett did not enjoy the hottest period of his career while racing for the team he is now leaving, he still won nine races for the French World Tour squad, including the first pro stage race victory of his career; 4 Jours de Dunkerque (2.Pro).

Now aged 35, the end of Bennett's career is much closer than the start. But he could still have a lot to offer. Mark Cavendish, for example, won his last Tour stage aged 39 years while Alexander Kristoff won his last pro race, at Arctic Race of Norway (2.Pro), this year aged 38.

As he makes the move to Q36.5, Bennett sees a dual role for himself; winning races - as he has done every year since he turned pro in 2014 - but also helping his new team move forward as a unit.

And that is crucial as its mix of abilities is vast; from Grand Tour stage winners Tom Pidcock and Ireland's Eddie Dunbar, to riders like France's Emmanuel Houcou, who has just signed his first pro contract.

*Sam Bennett will be team mates with Tom Pidcock, above, after he moves to his new team, which is very much on the up since the British rider signed last year (Photo: Billy Ceusters)*

“As a sprinter, my career has been shaped by hunting for wins and I’ve been really fortunate to have been given lots of great opportunities to perform, and win, at all three Grand Tours,” Bennett said.

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“By joining this team, not only do I sense an immense opportunity to perform at my best level but equally to guide younger riders to achieve great things within our sport.

“I’ve watched the team grow and develop and accomplish great things already at the highest level and I’m excited to be a part of that. All my gratitude to Doug Ryder and Kurt (Bogaerts) for this opportunity.”

Bogaerts is a sports director at the team and he was Bennett's manager at the An Post-Sean Kelly-Chainreaction team from 2011 to 2013, when the Carrick-on-Suir man was still working hard to try and secure a pro contract.

Though over a decade has passed since they last worked together on a trade team, Bogaerts said he has remained close to Bennett and he believed that relationship would now be a big asset.

“We first were together on the An Post-Sean Kelly where he turned pro from our team after winning the stage in Caerphilly at the 2013 Tour of Britian," Bogaerts said of Bennett securing a contract for 2014 with Net App-Endura, which has since morphed into the Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe World Tour team.

"We remained in contact throughout his career and now we have the opportunity to add his winning experience to our team," he added of Bennett, who is now extending his pro career into a 13th season.

"He understands what it takes to win at the highest level and especially at Grand Tours. Sam gives us the chance to target high-profile victories and the consistency we strive for.”