Sam Bennett set to join AG2R Citroën

Sam Bennett is set to be announced as an AG2R Citroën rider in the coming days.

First reported by Ciro Scognamiglio from La Gazzetta dello Sport in mid-August as a likely deal, GCN can reveal that the contract between the rider and his new team will stretch out over a two-year period.

Bennett is currently racing the Tour of Britain with Bora-Hansgrohe but a departure from the German outfit looked highly likely in late June after the rider was snubbed from their Tour de France squad. Bennett was also not selected for the Vuelta a España - a move that left him without a Grand Tour for the entire 2023 season.

With Bora-Hansgrohe also making room for rival sprinter Sam Welsford from dsm-firmenich, the time was right for Bennett to move on after two years and a second stint at the team.

With Greg Van Avermaet set to retire at the end of this season, AG2R Citroën have been linked to a raft of riders as they look to rebuild for the future.

Mikel Landa was mentioned as a possible summer signing along with Pavel Sivakov but Landa opted for Soudal Quick-Step, while Sivakov has joined UAE Team Emirates for next year.

Bennett's arrival will provide the French team with a world class sprinter and former Tour de France green jersey winner. Ryan Mullen, who joined Bennett at Bora two years ago as the Irish rider's lead-out man, is set to extend his contract with the German team for another two years.

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