McLaughlin excited by new French connection

JAMES MCLAUGHLIN has taken another massive step on his road to the top of world cycling by signing for French feeder team Sojasun Espoir.

The 21-year-old Sarnian (pictured) will now race across Europe, mainly in France, from February, with the team containing French under-23 riders and acting as a feeder into Saur Sojasun, who rode in this year's Tour de France.

He is delighted at entering the ranks of what he believes is a team with a structure that can help him climb to the top of the sport.

'I am delighted to be moving up another level because, to be fair, I haven't really had the results consistently to justify it,' he said.

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