Ireland's Sam Bennett has shown his ability to take win after win when on song. He is hoping for more lead-out consistency.
Sam Bennett seeks lead-out train consistency
Sam Bennett is preparing to go back to the Tour of Turkey and is hoping for consistency in his lead-out, saying it has been lacking.
In honest remarks as he prepares to face QuickStep’s fastest men in Turkey, Bennett said being able to roll with the punches is what makes good sprinters great.
"The Giro was something I was really proud of and I was happy with that part of the season,” he said.
“The middle part of the season is something which I would have liked more form. But all in all I can't complain.
"I've spent so many years trying to get a Grand Tour win. And all of a sudden I got three so I have to be happy with that.
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“But as a sprinter you like to get a lot of wins and, even though I have made big strides this year, I know I have to get the consistency with it and continue what I have been doing."
Bennett was full of praise for Fernando Gaviria and Álvaro Hodeg of QuickStep, the men he will face at the Tour of Turkey.
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Sam Bennett took three Giro stage wins. The middle one into Imola, above, was one for the ages given the way he grabbed control and outclassed the rest of the field. But, like any sprinter, he needs a consistent team effort around him, especially when going up against the best.
Twelve months ago he won four stages out of a possible six in Turkey. And while his build-up has been quieter this year, he has proven he can beat any sprinter on his day.
During the Giro, QuickStep were the dominant sprint train; Elia Viviani winning four stages.
The team was forced to rework their lead-out several times in a bid to frustrate Bennett. But the Irish Bora-hansgrohe rider still took three stages.
Despite taking such a huge step forward in what was a dream race, he said getting more consistency was essential.
"QuickStep as a team are so strong and finely tuned,” he said of his rivals in what will be an intense battle for more wins next week.
“They know how to get everything right and repeat it every time, so it's really impressive. Once you're in your flow a number of wins can come.
“But sometimes it's hard to get into it. I think for me when I have the training right, my confidence comes from having done the preparation and it's easier to find that flow.
“When I have good form, I believe that's when I win races. What makes the top guys great is that they can deal with anything that's thrown at them.
“I think it's easier to be more consistent when you have a regular lead-out train. But my team has changed a lot over the years.
“And I haven't managed to find that consistency. And now I don't really have that train.
“But if I can have one guy who's there every race to put me in position for the lead-out; to have the consistency would be nice and always helps."
The Tour of Turkey gets underway next Tuesday from Konya. It finishes in Istanbul on Sunday week.
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