Will we see Sam Bennett back in the peloton in 2026, and if so, for which team? The Irishman will definitely not be riding for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale next year. The French team—renamed Decathlon CMA CGM from next year—has confirmed this via social media.
With a farewell video on X, the French squad thanks Bennett for his services and the victories he achieved. Now 35 years old, the Irish rider competed for Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale over the past two seasons. Bennett was welcomed with much fanfare, but the former top sprinter was never able to meet expectations.
Nevertheless, Bennett still claimed several wins for the French team. Last year, he took four stage victories and the overall classification at the Four Days of Dunkirk, while during the past road season he was successful in the Tour de La Provence (two stage wins) and the Région Pays de la Loire Tour (also two stage victories). In the truly big races, Bennett’s impact was considerably less.
Quite a few changes
The fast Irishman is certainly not the only rider leaving Decathlon AG2R, as the team will also say goodbye to Dries De Bondt, Victor Lafay, Benoît Cosnefroy, Nans Peters, Geoffrey Bouchard, Dorian Godon, Bastien Tronchon, Andrea Vendrame, Clément Berthet, and Bruno Armirail.
On the other hand, no fewer than nine new faces will join. Dutch top sprinter Olav Kooij will replace Bennett, and Daan Hoole, Cees Bol, Tiesj Benoot, and Robbe Ghys will also embark on a French adventure.
