The return of Sam Bennett to Bora-hansgrohe was confirmed by the German team today.
In addition to Bennett’s return, the German team has announced the arrival of 3 new riders. Danny van Poppel makes the switch from Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert, Shane Archbold (Deceuninck-Quick-Step) and Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) will also join the sprint train. All four riders signed for two seasons.
“I am very excited about returning to Bora–hansgrohe” said Bennett. “I had six incredible years with this team and I really feel like I grew up as a pro rider during this period. It was a really difficult decision to leave, but I decided I needed to continue my professional and personal development in a new environment”.
“While some may have questioned my decision at the time, I believe it is the right move for me to return to Bora-hansgrohe. I have enjoyed two great years at Deceuninck-Quick-Step, my boyhood dream team, and have continued my development both on and off the bike whilst making lifelong friendships. However, I feel ready to go back home to be the team leader that I want to be, and know Bora-hansgrohe also wants me to be.”
The Irish sprinter has spent the last two seasons with Deceuninck-Quick-Step, where he won multiple races and the green jersey in the 2020 Tour de France. But relations between Bennett and Patrick Lefevere have deteriorated over the last few months, with Lefevere saying Bennett was “the epitome of mental weakness.”
Bora-hansgrohe team manager Ralph Denk said: “We’ve been together for several years, he turned pro with us and we developed him into one of the best sprinters in the peloton. It’s no secret that his departure hurt us a lot at the time. However, I can understand that he felt that step was important for his career. I’d say that only worked out partially.
“We are a team that places a lot of value on cohesion, respect and sustainable cooperation, as we believe that these are the foundations for long-term success. You can have disagreements sometimes. However, as long as you treat each other with respect, you will always find each other again.”
