Three-time stage winner Sam Bennett returns to Giro d'Italia as Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale confirm Grand Tour lineup

With the 2025 Giro d'Italia now just days away, the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team have become the latest to confirm their roster for the opening Grand Tour of the 2025 season. Leading the way, is three-time Giro stage winner Sam Bennett, back at the Corsa Rosa for the first time since 2018.

The Irish sprinter has proven pedigree in winning Grand Tour stages, although admittedly not for some years - his last Grand Tour victory coming in the form of a brace of stages at the 2022 Vuelta a Espana. Over the last couple of seasons, since joining the Decathlon AG2R La Monidale Team however, Bennett has re-found some winning form, adding nine victories to his palmares since joining the French-based outfit, including four already in 2025.

"I'm very happy to be back in Italy, where I have so many fond memories. The last time I took part in the Giro d'Italia, I was very successful, and I hope to build on that success," previews Bennett in a press release to the team's official website. "With three flat stages in the first week, there will be opportunities for victory. We have a very good team for the sprints, with the train that enabled me to win this year. On the more difficult days, with a reduced group, Dorian (Godon) and Andrea (Vendrame) can still be there and make their speed count. I also have the points jersey in mind, but the priority remains winning stages. We can't leave the Giro without winning a stage."

Joining Bennett in a stage hunting team, two-time Giro stage winner Andrea Vendrame, who triumphed on stage 19 of the race in 2024 returns to his home Grand Tour. French trio Dorian Godon, Geoffrey Bouchard and Nicolas Prodhomme, the latter of whom heads to the startline fresh off the back of winning a stage of the recent Tour of the Alps, are also Giro bound. As are the experienced Belgain pair Stan Dewulf and Dries de Bondt, with 23-year-old Norwegian Tord Gudmestad completing the team's Grand Tour lineup.

"The main objective for this Giro d'Italia will be to take a stage win. There will be plenty of opportunities for Sam (Bennett) in the sprint. In the smaller finishes, we'll be able to count on riders like Andrea (Vendrame) and Dorian (Godon)," adds DS Luke Roberts. "For the mountain stages, the aim will be to place Nicolas (Prodhomme) and Geoffrey (Bouchard) in the breakaways to aim for victory. If everything goes well with Sam, the points jersey may become an objective, but the priority remains to land stage wins."