Sam Bennett is now very much in at the deep end after being given the nod to start the iconic Milan San Remo on Sunday.
By Brian Canty
Sam Bennett will break new ground in his professional career this weekend when he competes in the iconic Italian monument race Milan-San Remo.
The Bora-Argon 18 man has enjoyed a terrific start to the 2015 season, securing his first 2.HC-ranked win at the Tour of Qatar while proving a real menace in the sprints that decided many other races.
He bagged two top 10s in the WorldTour-ranked Tirreno-Adriatico last week, nicking third on the opening road stage.
And he’s been rewarded for that form with a start in the world’s longest one-day professional race, 298 kilometres.
Known as the sprinter’s classic, Bennett admits he’s in for a real battle just to get to the finish on Sunday.
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Not only has he never raced that distance before, but the climbs towards the end have often seen his kind of rider spat out the back door.
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Bennett is making a big name for himself on the Continent and his riding this Sunday's race underlines that fact.
“We rode the last 40 kilometres today and it gave me goose bumps,” he said.
“It was amazing descending the Poggio, it’s famous in cycling and I’ve so often seen on tele.
“It’ll be amazing to ride the race but I know I have to be realistic as well because I’ve never raced this distance. Is there even another race this distance?” he laughed.
The Carrick man said his team will adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach before they decide if they protect the young sprinter.
We have an extended interview with Bennett coming up before Sunday, where he discusses his performances in Tirreno-Adriatico, his form so far this season and what he hopes for Sunday and the next part of his season.
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