Benoît Cosnefroy has accomplished a transfer to UAE Workforce Emirates-XRG, signing with the WorldTour’s high crew on a two-year deal which can see him bolster the one-day Classics squad on the crew till the tip of 2027.
Cosnefroy was out of contract at Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, the crew with which he turned professional in 2017 and had spent his complete profession thus far.
He’ll hyperlink up with a robust one-day Classics unit on the Emirati crew that already options Tim Wellens, who prolonged his contract with the crew yesterday, Jhonatan Narvaez, and naturally, Tadej Pogačar, for whom Cosnefroy may supply help within the hillier Classics within the Ardennes.
Cosnefroy’s spectacular report in French one-day races may additionally supply UAE the chance to dominate in additional one-day races, ought to they want to beat their very own report of 95 season victories, in 2026.
“I am very completely happy on the prospect of becoming a member of UAE Workforce Emirates–XRG, and really excited to turn out to be a part of the perfect crew on this planet,” he stated in a crew assertion.
“When Mauro Gianetti defined the mission to me I noticed it as the proper problem for me at this level in my profession. From talking with the crew and the ambitions they’ve, it grew to become clear that it might be an excellent match and the proper step to take. I’m keen to start this new chapter and may’t wait to start out racing with my new teammates.”
The rider from Cherbourg accomplished simply 13 race days in 2025, following additional issues with a knee damage which noticed him sidelined for the early a part of the season.
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Cosnefroy’s strengths lie in his punchy finishes, a ability which noticed him journey to seven wins in 2024, together with a Classics victory at Brabantse Pijl, earlier than his season ended prematurely following a crash at Renewi Tour wherein he broke his collarbone.
The previous U23 highway world champion, Cosnefroy has served as a pacesetter and talisman for the Decathlon squad which has gone from energy to energy previously two seasons. He wore the polka dot jersey for 15 levels on the 2020 version of the Tour de France and famously completed second on the 2023 version of the Amstel Gold Race, having wrongly been declared the winner. He was later declared to have completed second following a overview of the end line picture, with Ineos Grenadiers’ Michal Kwiatkowski the victor.
In the meantime Decathlon, who half methods with long-time sponsor AG2R La Mondiale on the finish of the 2025 season, are rebuilding their squad round newly-acquired sprinter Olav Kooij and future GC expertise Paul Seixas.
