Four years after competing in cycling's biggest stage race, Irish sprinter Sam Bennett will finally make his long-awaited return to the Tour de France this summer.

The 33-year-old Bennett will take part in the Tour as part of the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale lineup, it was announced Monday.

Austrian Felix Gall, who won the ultra-difficult Col de la Rose at last year's Tour, will look to improve on his eighth place overall in 2023.

Surprisingly, Benoit Cosnefrois was left out of the Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale this past July. This will be the first time since 2018 that Kosnefrois, who has six wins this season, will not participate in his home Grand Tour.

Bennett's decision to compete in the Tour will see the Irishman return to the race where he won two stage victories and the points jersey in 2020. However, he was not selected by his then team Deceuninck-QuickStep in 2021 and returned to his former team, Bora-Hansgrohe, in 2022 and 2023, again missing out on the Tour.

Moving to Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, Bennett took four stage wins and the overall at the 4 Jules de Dunkerque. He also narrowly missed out on victory in the opening round of the Criterium du Dauphiné, which would have qualified him for the Tour.

"I am delighted to be returning to the Tour de France after a four-year absence. I want to thank the team for giving me this great opportunity. It feels special to be back in the Grand Boucle with the French team. To win a stage for this team in the world's greatest race is even more special!

"There are a lot of hills at the start, so we have plenty of time to get into the race. Nevertheless, every stage is important and the first opportunities will come after the opening weekend: there are eight massive sprints and there should be a lot of competitors. I'm looking forward to the fight."

Among the registered riders, filled with one-day racers and breakaway talent, will be 2020 Tour de France Pyrenean stage winner Nance Peters and classics specialists Dorian Godon and Oliver Naessen. Decathlon has chosen Bruno Almirail to defend their interests in the time trial stage. Almirail won the French national time trial title for the second time in his career last Thursday, briefly took the lead in last year's Giro d'Italia, and just a few weeks ago came close in the uphill stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné.

With a dramatic increase in wins this year to 26 compared to nine for the full year 2023, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale will face considerably higher expectations this summer in July as they seek their 23rd stage win in team history and more.

"We have two goals for the Tour de France. First, to confirm last year's overall result with Felix Gall, and second, to at least try to win a stage." Sam Bennett is the biggest chance at a sprint finish, but there are other riders who have a shot in the arm. Dorian Godon and Paul Lapeira can show their speed in a small group finish."

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