Sam Bennett has had an eventful few weeks since taking two stages in the Rás; suffering food poisoning and a sprain ankle but is looking for a win this weekend in France ahead of the National Championships (www.blackumbrellaphotography.com)
By Gerard Cromwell
After a bout of illness and then an ankle injury kept him from making the most of his An Post Rás form, double stage winner Sam Bennett will be back in action today, Thursday, when a six man An Post-Chainreaction team takes on the four-day Boucles de la Mayenne in France.
Bennett, who won stages in Listowel and Skerries on this year’s Rás, first contracted food poisoning before spraining his ankle shortly after.
“I hope my luck changes soon,” said Bennett yesterday.
“I sprained the ankle the day after I got food poisoning. I haven’t raced since the Rás so the first couple of stages will be tough.”
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Bennett will be joined by compatriot Jack Wilson, Kiwi duo Shane Archbold and Aaron Gate, Belgian Laurent Vanden Bak and Liverpudlian Mark McNally for the UCI 2.2 ranked race, which begins with a 4.5 kilometre prologue on the streets of Laval today.
Sean Kelly’s green-clad postmen will be hoping to continue their good run of form in France, having taken a stage win and third overall at last week’s Ronde d l’Oise with Aussie rider Glenn O’Shea. Bennett will be looking to rediscover his Rás form ahead of the National Road Race Championships in Dundalk on Sunday week.
“I’m not going to think about it too much otherwise I’ll burn up energy,” said Bennett.
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If he does get back to form, the Carrick-On-Suir sprinter will most likely face off against top French sprinter Bryan Coquard of Europcar in a bunch gallop at some stage during the French four-day.
Having taken silver at the Olympic omnium in London, Coquard also went home with a silver medal at last year's U23 World Road Championships and has already claimed five stage wins in various races so far this season. His would be a good scalp to claim.
“I’m going to take every situation as it comes,” said Bennett.
“I got some quality training in before I got sick, so I’m happy enough.”
Having gone into the An Post Rás below par, team manager Kurt Bogaerts reckons Bennett can aim for more stage wins in Mayenne this weekend, adding the assignment will be good preparation for the National Championships for both Bennett and Wilson.
“Sam wasn’t feeling the best throughout the Rás, so for him to come away with two stage wins just shows what he is capable of,” said the Belgian team boss.
“The performances have given him that extra belief and he’ll carry that into (the French) race, which is good for the team. Jack Wilson has also shown a lot of maturity this season for such a young rider. He is a hard worker and he learns very quickly. With the National Championships coming up, I feel this race will be ideal preparation for him.”
The field in France includes Continental teams from Euskadi, Leopard Trek and Rabobank.
