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Sam Bennett has made the shortlist for the RTE Sport 2020 Sportsperson of the Year Award, being included for the first time in his career.
While the 2020 competition had been delayed a little because of Covid-19, the six-person shortlist was announced today by RTE and Ireland's fastest cyclist is on it.
Bennett became something of a national hero last year, despite already having years of success, when he finally broke through on the biggest stage - the Tour de France.
He won two stages on that race, including the coveted sprinters' stage into Paris on the final day of action. And after a great head-to-head battle with former team mate Peter Sagan he also won the green jersey.
His victory in that competition was the first time since Sean Kelly's last win, of four, in the points classification in 1989 that an Irish cyclist had won a classification jersey at the Tour de France.
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Bennett also won a stage of La Vuelta last year, when he took seven victories through the season though so much racing was wiped out by the global pandemic.
The RTE awards will be presented on RTÉ One at 10.15pm on Thursday, January 28th, with more information on the competition promised soon by the national broadcaster. In the meantime, you can view the shortlist below.
RTE Sport Award 2020: The contenders
Sam Bennett (30)
Already a very successful rider for much of the last decade, Bennett’s place in history was secured last year with two stage wins at the Tour de France and by winning the iconic green jersey in the same race. The Carrick-on-Suir man became an instant fans’ favourite, even among those with only a passing interest in cycling, when he broke down in tears on being interviewed after winning stage 10 of the Tour.
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Ciaran Kilkenny (27)
Was an outstanding player for the Dublin footballers last year when they won their sixth All Ireland title in a row.
Colin Keane (26)
The Meath man was Ireland’s champion flat jockey last year for the second time, collecting major wins along the way.
Gearóid Hegarty (26)
The Limerick hurler helped his home county to victory in the All Ireland and was crowned man of the match.
Katie Taylor (34)
The Irish boxing legend continues to go from strength to strength and last year the former Olympic champion put up characteristically huge performances in defending her undisputed lightweight belts.
Sanita Puspure (39)
The Irish rower defended her women's single sculls title at the European Rowing Championships in Poland last year, on the back of two previous world titles.
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