Sam Bennett is recognised as one of the world's fastest sprinters and he has used his growing reputation to land endorsements. Two of the biggest sponsorship deals he currently has are with footwear company Bont and eyewear giants Rudy Project.
By Brian Canty
Such has been the rise of Sam Bennett since he turned professional that he has landed himself some pretty decent sponsorship deals.
As well as the salary he earns with Bora-Argon 18, he has been allowed chase his own endorsements.
And when he approached eyewear giants Rudy Project, it was only too glad to provide Bennett with some of the best eyewear equipment as part of an endorsement deal.
He wore Rudy Project glasses last year after signing a one-year contract and he has another deal with the brand until the end of this year.
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Bennett's Rudys in the colours of his home country.
As well as Rudy Project, shoe company Bont is currently sponsoring Bennett and has been doing so since the end of last year.
Of the shoes, Bennett explained he needs a pair that are not only wide enough for his feet, but are also pliable to give him maximum comfort, with riders feet swelling and contracting slightly depending on extremes of temperature.
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As any sprinter will attest, the stiffness of a shoe is one of its most important elements and Bont is regarded as among the best, so Bennett believes.
He will be sponsored by the company until the end of this year – though it’s possible both his shoe and glasses deals will be extended.
As an ambassador for both companies, Bennett gets to customise his equipment; offering feedback on how it looks and feels.
The folks at Rudy Project came up with lenses that change colour depending on the amount of sunlight they're exposed to.
“The shoes are fantastic; unbelievably stiff,” he told us about the Vaypor brand he uses.
“You feel more connected with the bike and they can also be moulded very easily - even with a hair dryer.
“I love the glasses as well; I have a narrow head so not a lot of brands stay in place, especially when I put the head down.
“They are one of the best brands I’ve had, if not the best. They look great - which is half the battle and the lenses are super.
“They brought out a bigger Tralyx lens this season which is great for races like Qatar and the classics where a lot of dirt and sand can get in your eyes.
“I actually couldn't believe the difference from just having the bigger lens.”
The Impactx2 lens is one Bennett uses on occasion as it changes shade depending on the amount of light in the atmosphere – a pretty cool innovation for those long six-hour days.
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