Carrick-on-Suir's Sam Bennett has joined pro cycling team Deceunick - Quick-Step.
The 29-year-old Irish sprinter has signed a two-year deal.
He turned professional in 2014 and since then has taken 42 victories including 5 Grand Tour stages and the Irish National Championships.
He will be joined at the team by his good friend and lead-out man Shane Archbold, who has also penned a two-year deal.
We are very happy to announce that both @Sammmy_Be and @Theflyingmullet have signed with UCI World Team Classification winner Deceuninck - Quick-Step, thus completing our 2020 roster: https://t.co/JvvNxyld4P
Welcome to #TheWolfpack, guys!
Photo: Sigfrid Eggers pic.twitter.com/Htuzb1cAMz— Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (@qst_alphavinyl) December 3, 2019
After putting pen to paper with the team, Bennett said: "I am delighted to get to sign with Deceuninck - Quick-Step, the team I had a poster of on my wall when I was a kid.
"I remember going to a race with An Post and seeing Quick-Step at races and I was intimidated by such a big team. I
" never thought I would be good enough to sign for them, so be able to say that I am riding for them is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get to work with the guys and starting working and racing with them.
"It is a daunting task to race for this team, but it is motivating and a challenge, having been with my previous team for so long and I feel refreshed.
"It is fantastic to be having Shane here too. I am delighted for him as he had a few years where he wasn’t getting opportunities, so for us to both be here is special. To have a friend and a work colleague with him, it makes the job easier too."
Deceuninck - Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere expressed his pleasure at Bennett’s arrival: "The protracted nature of Sam’s move has been well documented but I am delighted to have him on board.
"His palmares alone speaks volumes about his talent and determination, but he is also a great character and another leader to have around the team. We all cannot wait to start working with him."
