Cycling: Kiwi George Bennett on the move to UAE Team Emirates for 2022, will join Tadej Pogacar

By RNZ

New Zealand pro cyclist George Bennett has changed teams and now has the job of supporting the world's No.1 ranked rider.

After seven years with the Dutch Jumbo-Visma team, Bennett will join up with UAE Team Emirates in 2022 on a two-year deal.

Bennett has helped Primož Roglič to back-to-back Vuelta a España titles and a Tour de France podium last year. However, he will now switch to the team of Roglič's compatriot and rival, Tadej Pogačar, who has won the past two editions of the Tour de France.

Bennett turned professional with the Radioshack squad in 2012 and spent a year at Cannondale in 2014 before joining Jumbo-Visma, where his development accelerated.

He placed 10th at the 2016 Vuelta and, after winning the 2017 Tour of California, and rode an impressive Tour de France before abandoning through illness.

The 31-year-old is the latest in a string of recruits for UAE Team Emirates since the transfer window opened last week, following fellow Grand Tour candidates Joao Almeida from Deceuninck-QuickStep and Marc Soler from Movistar.

Fellow Nelsonian Finn Fisher-Black left Jumbo-Visma for UAE Team Emirates earlier this season.