Sam Bennett has said while he was focused on staying fit and continuing to train alone during the Covid19 lock-down, he feared for cycling’s financial health due to the suspension of all racing.
And he believed the sport would have a very hard time if
the Tour de France did not go ahead; a race he will look to take his first
stage win in this year, conditions allowing.
Bennett (29) said because pro cycling provides a livelihood for so many people, the possible financial impact on the sport is a worry.
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"Cycling is a business and we have to race this year
or the whole structure will fall apart, I reckon. The Tour de France has to
happen,” he told the cycling news podcast.
“The way it is with sponsorships, it is a worry because
this is our jobs and livelihoods. From my side, I hope that racing happens and
I think that everyone is going to be motivated.
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“Even if everything is condensed into three months,
everyone will be up for it because they just want to race," he said.
And the Irishman believed even if racing resumes on the
dates the UCI is planning for – from August 1st for WorldTour racing and July 1st
for all other racing – sponsorship in cycling will be under pressure into the
future.
"The races that were struggling before, it's going
to be very hard to see them running again," Bennett said of small events
already cancelled this year.
"If the recessions happen like they say that they
will, then sponsorship is the first to go," he added of an expected
recession in most parts of the world after Covid19 restrictions are lifted.
Bennett has lived in Monaco for several years but has
returned to Ireland during the Covid19 lock-down and has been living in Carrick-on-Suir
and training indoors.
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