Sam Bennett has hit his top stride at the BinckBank Tour
in Belgium, managing to do what home favourite Tom Boonen never could; winning
three stages on the race on consecutive days.
The form that has brought him his latest three victories
could not have come at a better time.
He has just returned to racing after winning the Irish
title; his first win in Belgium on Monday the first ever by an Irish champion
on the WorldTour.
At home the Irishman is getting bigger exposure than
usual; the break in the GAA championship making TV time available, with Bennett
featuring on RTE TV news each evening.
And he is also approaching a big goal of the
season, his first Grand Tour of the year at the Vuelta, without Pascal
Ackermann or Peter Sagan in the team.
Advertisement
Furthermore, he has also suggested that his new contract –
whatever team it may be with – has not yet been ironed out, meaning he is in a
very strong negotiating position.
“At first, I was not sure if I had actually taken the win or not," Sam Bennett said of just beating Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma) to the line yesterday for his third win in three days.
Related News
"I think somebody touched my bike in the last corner and they broke it a little.
“The gears were jumping like mad so I couldn’t throw the
bike around; I was just trying to keep myself solid.
“The gears were just skipping and so I couldn’t get the
power down. I got a run at, I can’t remember who it was; UAE were in front…
“I got a run at him and if it wasn’t for that I don’t
think I would have got it so I was really look today
“I tried to make the bike as long as possible in the
final, it was a very close finish,” he added of his winning lunge to the finish
line which just shaded it for him.
“It came down to a very chaotic finale. I’m really happy
to have done the hat trick here.
“And I’m incredibly proud to represent Ireland with the
national champion’s kit as well.
”It took a fair bit of energy to stay up the front in the
race today and keep myself out of difficulties, and so it’s fantastic to be
able to have taken three wins in a row.”
Dylan Groenewegen, but the Irishman seemed predestined to win
Topics
