Who is Sam Watson? Meet the Groupama-FDJ neo-pro who went to school with the Pidcocks

Groupama-FDJ neo-pro Sam Watson at the start of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Groupama-FDJ neo-pro Sam Watson at the start of Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (Image credit: Luc ClaessenGetty Images)

French squad Groupama-FDJ have attained a reputation as one of the WorldTour teams most willing to promote and develop young riders and that certainly hasn't changed this season.

The team has brought a staggering eight neo-pros from their development team to their pro squad for 2023, with sprinter Paul Penhoët, climber Lenny Martinez and puncheur Romain Grégoire among the talents making the jump.

Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. She has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel, and her favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from 2024 include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.

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