Sam Bennett (right) with his Deceuninck-QuickStep team mates just moments after they combined so well to win stage 4 at UAE Tour today;’ Carrick-on-Suir’s Bennett obliging with his killer sprint to claim the first win of the 2021 season in his first bunch sprint for the year (Photo: Wout Beel)

Sam Bennett has said he was delighted to take his first win of the season as he could never be sure how his legs were after the winter break in racing.

In winning stage 4 at UAE Tour today – some 204km starting and finishing in Al Marjan Island the 30-year-old Deceuninck-QuickStep rider believed he was clocking up his 50th professional victory.

Bennett said afterwards it felt “really good” to get a victory so early in the season and in his first bunch sprint of the year.

“I had to wait a few days to get this opportunity. I was really nervous before the sprint, to do the first bunch sprint of the season.”

Sam Bennett continued: “But all I had to do was just follow the guys; they did a fantastic job, each one of them. I was really proud to finish off the job and I think today is my 50th professional win so, yeah, it’s really nice to get that as the first win of the season.”

“I was a little frustrated missing the sprint on the first stage and I knew there were only three more opportunities, so I was really motivated today.

“At the same time, I was pretty nervous, because it was the first bunch sprint of the season for myself and you never know what’s your condition coming out of the winter.

“It was a long, hot stage, but it now feels great to get the first bunch sprint of the year out of the way. It’s a perfect way to start the season.”

David Decker, the new 23-year-old sprinter with Jumbo Visma, sprinted in for 2nd on stage 1 (above) and was also 2nd again today; this time to Sam Bennett. The Irishman believes we’ll be hearing more about the young Dutch rider

With Lotto Soudal, for Caleb Ewan, and Bora-hansgrohe, for Pascal Ackermann, were on the front in numbers the closing stages, Bennett and his team appeared to take a simpler approach to the last kilometre.

After the team had worked to position the lead-out and sprinted duo of Michael Mørkøv and Bennett, it was Mørkøv who piloted Bennett to the front in the final kilometre and when he dropped him off the Irish rider didn’t hesitate.

But rather than following Mørkøv to the right of the group in the dash to the line, Bennett sprint to his left as he felt it was a better route to the chequered flag.

He inadvertently bumped David Decker of Jumbo Visma and though it was clearly accidental, Decker was visibly frustrated crossing the line in 2nd place again.

Sam Bennett celebrates his way, saying it was the 50th pro victory of his career

The young Dutch rider – aged 23 years and in his first race at this level – had also been runner-up on the opening stage when he impressively made the front group only to be beaten in the sprint by Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin Fenix).

Bennett said he could see at the last month that the route to the left was a clearer one so he took it.

“I could see they were going to the right and the right side of the road was the shortest line. But I could risk going up and having to hit the anchors (slowing if he ran into other riders) and so I had to go the long away around and I could carry enough speed.”

When asked by the TV interviewer his thoughts on David Decker, Bennett was immediately sure who the interviewer was referring to, but once he was sure he said the young Dutch rider was riding very impressively.

“It’s fantastic to see, he’s obviously a very talented rider. He’s come straight in, his first pro race and to be up there… I’m sure I’ll be seeing his name time and time again. For sure, it’s only the beginning for this guy.”