"This is going to really hurt Sam" - Irish sprint ace Bennett expected to leave BORA - hansgrohe after missing out on Tour de France selection

For the third straight year, Sam Bennett will be absent from the Tour de France after BORA - hansgrohe revealed their lineup for the upcoming. According to Irish journalist, Paul Kimmage this will be a major disappointment to the sprint ace.

"This is going to really hurt Sam in particular, because he's not getting any younger," Kimmage says of the 32-year-old who won the Green Jersey at his last appearance at the race back in 2020, to RTE. "It’s win or go home and you know there's only eight places on the team and he didn't make that cut, so it's going to be very, very difficult for him. The next few weeks is going to be very difficult for him."

With 2023 a contract year for Bennett it seems as if the writing is on the wall for his relationship with BORA - hansgrohe. Although, as Kimmage mentions, the fact he won't be riding the Tour de France means Bennett misses an opportunity to impress possible suitors.

"The Tour de France is the shop window, you’ve really got to put yourself there in terms of your contract," he said. "Your contract is based on riding the Tours and it’s the biggest race in the world, so if you’re not riding it then you know it's you're going in the wrong direction."