Benoot prepares for more freedom at Decathlon CMA CGM: 'Hope this was agreed with Visma'

For Tiesj Benoot, there is plenty to get used to. He has left Visma | Lease a Bike behind and made his first public appearance at the team presentation of Decathlon CMA CGM, his new squad. It marks a new environment and a fresh start for the Belgian, who parted ways with the Dutch team with some sadness but now begins his French adventure with renewed energy.

The 31-year-old is joining his fourth WorldTour squad. “I do like arriving in a new environment,” he tells HLN in Lille. “Today feels a bit like the first day of school. From tomorrow on, we can really get started. A training camp follows soon as well. The level and the structure of the team are exactly what I hoped for. I’m entering an environment that gives me energy.”

Benoot was already wearing the same clothes as his new teammates - something that stood out, as Remco Evenepoel was not allowed to do the same during Red Bull–BORA–hansgrohe’s presentation because he remains under contract with Soudal Quick-Step until 31 December. “I hope this was agreed with Visma,” Benoot laughs.

What can we expect from Benoot's program?“It won’t differ much from what I had at Visma.” With the Killer Bees he was a key rider in the spring classics - a loyal domestique, but also capable of strong results of his own. During Grand Tours, especially the Tour de France, he served as a full support rider.

On paper, little changes for Benoot. “Normally I start in the Volta ao Algarve, followed by the Opening Weekend (Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne). After a high-altitude camp I’ll ride all the classics from E3 Saxo Classic to Liège–Bastogne–Liège, except Paris–Roubaix. In summer I’ll likely do the Tour. It would be my tenth Tour de France in a row.”

But is nothing changing at all? Not quite, as we will see in the classics. “On paper I’ll be a bit more of a leader. We’ll have a broad, strong team. Olav Kooij will also ride more classics. It will feel special to race against my former teammates. Hopefully I find myself right there with them in the finals - that would be a good sign.”