Sam Bennett was at the top of the sprinter world in the early 2020’s, entering the decade with a victory in the Tour de France’s points classification and a couple of golden years with Soudal – Quick-Step. Ever since, things haven’t been as bright for the Irishman who is on his way out of the World Tour, but he has found a new team in Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team where he will be a teammate of Tom Pidcock.
Bennett moved to BORA – hansgrohe in 2022 after his last year with Quick-Step was riddled with a knee injury, and he struggled to obtain form. Despite this he still net a couple of World Tour wins that year, but in 2023 he was again lacking form and for a second time was removed from the Tour de France lineup. His time with BORA was coming to an end but he found himself in Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale who were looking to bring in new leaders and reformulate a sprint train. An ambitious plan, but one that didn’t have the desired results.
Bennett showed glimpses of brilliancy by winning the 2024 4 Jours de Dunkerque, alongside four stage wins which included the cobbled hilltop finish at Cassel, showcasing tremendous form, but he didn’t keep the momentum afterwards. He was given his shots at Grand Tours with Decathlon but didn’t manage better than a fourth place at the 2024 Tour and only cracked the Top10 of one stage during this year’s Giro d’Italia. He wasn’t an absent figure all year long, but he didn’t have the expected performance and his only wins came in non-World Tour French stage-races.
At age 36 and with his contract running out, Decathlon went a different way, signing Olav Kooij and a full leadout for the Dutchman too, making it clear from early on that the Irishman would have to move elsewhere. But with November already around the corner, there is still no contract signed. But the future might be bright for Bennett who is, according to Daniel Benson, potentially making a move to Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
The Swiss team has signed Tom Pidcock last winter which brought in tremendous changes and an increase in results this year, and has signed several quality riders next year for the mountains and classics – there is room for another sprinter in the team with the retirement of Giacomo Nizzolo as well.
After a lackluster year, Bennett’s contract at Decathlon wasn’t renewed. @Sirotti
UPDATE – Deal is made official
“It’s fantastic to be joining Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team next season. My career was launched by Kurt Bogaerts, so it feels as if I’ve taken a winding path home,” Bennett said in a press release. “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 3 Grand Tours”.
The one-year contract provides a new opportunity for Bennett to chase wins, joining also compatriot Eddie Dunbar and fellow sprinter Matteo Moschetti. “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”
The team’s head of performance Kurt Bogaerts reinforce this signing from the Swiss team: “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 Britain. We remained in contact throughout his career and now we have the opportunity to add his winning experience to our Team. 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.”