Arkea Samsic strengthened its lineup by acquiring talented young Ukrainian and former national champion Andrei Ponomar for 2023.

Ponomar is currently with Italy's Drone Hopper Androni Giocattoli and was a member of the Giro d'Italia last summer, completing the Grand Tour for the second consecutive year.

"Signing with Arkea Samsic is a very important moment for me because it means joining a UCI WorldTour team. It will give me the opportunity to compete in the top races on the international calendar from 2023 onwards." I am still young and even if I run two Giro's I still see it as a learning curve in my career."

"I think I can get on the podium with the pros and win races, hopefully starting next season, but it won't be at the World Tour level yet.

Ponomar, who describes himself as an all-rounder, said that his ability to handle 7-10km-long climbs and his ability to be strong against the clock should allow him to shine in stage races.

"He is only 20 years old, but he is definitely the new young hope of professional cycling," added Emmanuel Hubert, team manager of Arcair Samsic." He is already shining in his hometown of Brittany, most notably in the Trophée Saint-Emolphe Morbihan, where he won a stage during the 2019 race."

"He also became Junior European Champion a year after Lemko Evenpoel."

Hubert was at pains to note that Ponomar's personal background was also worthy of praise. His father was currently fighting the Russian invasion in Ukraine, and his mother and sister had fled the country and were living with Andrei Ponomar in Italy.

"We are all impressed by the strength of character Andrei Ponomar is showing in these circumstances. We have the utmost respect for him."

Meanwhile, Ponomar's drone hopper Androni is set to drop to the continental level in 2023. Director Gianni Savio has expressed hope that the team will find enough backing to return to a professional team in 2024.