Arnaud Demare set to join Arkea Samsic after 12 years at Groupama-FDJ

On August 1st, teams are officially able to announce new signings. French sprinter Arnaud Demare is set to be one of the first names revealed as his deal to join Team Arkéa Samsic is now complete.

After Demare's notable Tour de France omission, his and Groupama - FDJ's split was widely expected for some time with the 31-year-old and team boss Marc Madiot even getting into a war of words over the lack of a Grand Tour ride in 2023. The fact that Groupama - FDJ's plan to go all in on David Gaudu's podium challenge ended went badly wrong only added to Demare's disappointment.

As such, the team have agreed to part ways, with Madiot explaining the how a phone call between the pair was short and sweet. “It was very short and very simple. He is still in his anger and a form of mourning vis-à-vis the team," said the team boss in quotes collected by Le Parisien. "I manage to understand it. It will be better now that the Tour is over. But he is a man hurt by my decision."

With a move to Team Arkea-Samsic, Demare drops down a level but the likelihood of having a team based around him is exponentially increased. A winner of 10 Grand Tour stages and Milano-Sanremo in his prime, Demare will be hoping the move can inspire a return to form.