Cycling: George Bennett re-signs with Lotto NL-Jumbo for a three-year deal

The best road cyclist in New Zealand remains on the spot, with George Bennett re-signing with LottoNL-Jumbo.

Bennett, who has been part of the Dutch team since 2015, will extend his stay until 2021 after signing three

Such long-term security is deserved after the athlete of The 28-year-old continued his climb in 2018, winning his best result in a Grand Tour when he finished eighth overall in the Giro d'Italia.

Adding to the top 11 of his other four stage races this year, Bennett has made his way as a contender in the overall standings of the World Tour's biggest races, and it's no surprise that Lotto NL -Jumbo wants to lock him up long-term

"I've come a long way as a cyclist since joining the Lotto-Jumbo team, thanks to the hard work of the staff and runners , and the whole team has put a lot of confidence in my abilities and we share the same vision for the future, "said Bennett.

"I'm excited to take the next steps with the team and see where I can go as a GC driver in the world's biggest races.I feel at home here and I meaning that I am the best place to make the most of myself. "

Bennett, who was recruited for his 31-year season, joins a strong core of the Dutch team. 19659002] Dylan Groenewegen, who has been the fastest sprinter in the world this season, is hired until 2020, when stage star Primoz Roglic and talented Steven Kruijswijk are signed in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

The Slovenian rider has already won three stage races this year, including victories on the Tour de Romandie and Tour du Pays Basque.

Roglic is an explosive runner He is one of the best riders in the world. world in stage race, but he wonders if he he can survive in high mountains during the three weeks of racing. a big turn.

Rog He currently heads the LottoNL-Jumbo team at the Tour de France while the race heads to the mountains overnight, and if he succeeds well he could be considered the number driver one of the Tour.

Bennett He jumped the Tour this year, with the goal of targeting him again in 2019, but with Groenewegen needing sprint support and Roglic's early late talent it will be interesting to see where Bennett is registered.

only one minor potential complication, with Bennett's skills making him worthy of team leadership in a wide range of high-level races, and he should be a chance to improve his Grand Tour record then that he continues to grow in his first cycle.

Bennett is currently training and should compete in the Tour of Poland before tackling his big remaining goals of the season – the Vuelta a Espana and the World Championships – two events where he is likely to claim New Zealand.

Bennett is the first out-of-contract Kiwi World Tour racer to secure his future, with several other shots to be announced after August 1st.

Patrick Bevin should be in demand and could move his BMC team after changing sponsors, while Dion Smith could be transferred to the World Tour after good performances for his Pro-Continental Wanty-Groupe Gobert team.

Other riders from the Kiwi World Tour Sam Bewley and Tom Scully are in contract at the end of the season, while Jack Bauer and Alex Frame are respectively engaged until 2019 for Mitchelton-Scott and Trek -Segafredo