Irish sprinter Sam Bennett will lastly make his long-anticipated return to the Tour de France this summer season, 4 years after he final took half in biking’s greatest stage race.
Bennett, 33, will kind a part of the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale lineup for the Tour, it was confirmed on Monday, in a squad that has each GC and stage win ambitions.
Austrian Felix Gall, the winner of the ultra-difficult Col de la Loze stage in last year’s Tour will likely be searching for to construct on his eighth place total in 2023, whereas not too long ago topped French National Champion Paul Lapeira can also be all the way down to make his debut within the race.
Surprisingly, Benoît Cosnefroy is lacking from the roster of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale this July, as he prefers to arrange for the Olympic Games with out racing the Tour first. It would be the first time Cosnefroy, the winner of six races this season, has not taken half in his house Grand Tour since 2018.
Bennett’s affirmation for the Tour sees the Irishman return to a race the place he claimed two stage wins and the factors jersey in 2020. However, he was not chosen in 2021 by his then staff, Deceuninck-QuickStep and a return to former squad Bora-Hansgrohe in 2022 and 2023 once more noticed him miss out on the Tour.
Having switched to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, Bennett took a surprising 4 stage wins and the general on the 4 Jours de Dunkerque. He additionally narrowly missed out on claiming a victory within the opening leg of the Critérium du Dauphiné and is now confirmed for the Tour.
“I’m delighted to return to the Tour de France after a four-year absence,” Bennett mentioned in a staff press launch. “I’d prefer to thank the staff for this unbelievable alternative. Coming again to the Grande Boucle with a French staff is a particular feeling. To win a stage for this staff on this planet’s biggest race can be much more particular! ”
“I’ve received loads of time to get into the race, as the beginning is hilly. Nevertheless, each stage is vital, the primary alternative will come after the opening weekend, and I hope to be prepared for that. There must be eight huge sprints with a lot of contenders. I’m trying ahead to the struggle.”
In a roster full of one-day racers and breakaway expertise, 2020 Tour de France Pyrenean stage winner Nans Peters will likely be collaborating, together with Classics specialists Dorian Godon and Oliver Naesen. Decathlon have chosen Bruno Armirail to defend their pursuits within the time trial levels. Armirail conquered the French National Time Trial title for a second time in his profession final Thursday, briefly led the Giro d’Italia final yr and got here inside a whisker of clinching a Critérium du Dauphiné stage in an uphill end only a few weeks in the past.
After a dramatic uptick in victories this yr, with 26 so far in comparison with 9 for the entire 2023, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale will face significantly heightened expectations this summer season in July, as they hunt for the twenty third stage win and extra of their staff historical past.
“We have a twofold goal going into this Tour de France” mentioned staff supervisor Vincent Lavenu. “Firstly, to verify our efficiency final yr within the total classification with Felix Gall. Secondly, we’re additionally in search of not less than one stage win.”
“Sam Bennett will likely be considered one of our greatest possibilities within the dash finishes, however we additionally produce other riders able to elevating their arms. I’m considering of Dorian Godon and Paul Lapeira who, within the occasion of a small group end, could make their velocity depend.”
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale for the 2024 Tour de France
- Bruno Armirail
- Sam Bennett
- Felix Gall
- Dorion Godon
- Paul Lapeira
- Oliver Naesen
- Nans Peters
- Nicolas Prodhomme
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