Sam Bennett has said team commitments for the remainder
of the season have ruled him out of the National Road Race Championships this
weekend.
The Irishman was not on the entry list published by stickybottle
yesterday and news he would not defend his title this weekend was not
unexpected.
He has now said it was a dream to wear the Irish champion’s
jersey as he set out his record of victories in it.
He added his last race as Irish champion was to win the
final stage of the Tour de France last Sunday week in Paris.
“After 25 podiums, 11 of which were wins - two Tour de France, two Vuelta a Espana - three points classification jerseys including the Tour de France green jersey, my last race as Irish national champ was a win on the Champs-Élysées wearing green. A perfect end to my time as Irish national champion,” he said.
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Due to Covid-19, while pro riders are permitted to travel
to race and train, teams have been limiting their riders’ travel as much as
possible.
Furthermore, the pro racing calendar is very busy in
coming weeks and months, meaning an added restriction as riders either race or
recover towards upcoming goals.
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Bennett has now said that he and his Deceuninck-QuickStep
team have set goals for him for the remainder of the season which unfortunately
clash with the Irish championships this weekend.
The combined elite and U23 men’s road race, which Bennett
won last year in Derry City, will take place on Saturday in Knockaderry, Co
Limerick, and is being promoted by Newcastle West Wheelers under race director
Liam Collins.
“Unfortunately I will not be able to defend my title this
year at the Irish National Championship due to goals set out by myself and my
team for the remainder of the season,” Sam Bennett said.
“I am also trying to limit the health risks of traveling.
It was my dream to wear this jersey at some of the biggest cycling races in the
world. I always tried my best to represent it to the best of my abilities.”
Bennett won the event last year after breaking away with
Eddie Dunbar (Ineos Grenadiers) and top amateur rider Mark Dowling.
Bennett, then riding for Bora-hansgrohe, and Dunbar
(Ineos Grenadiers) pressed on as a duo, with the Carrick-on-Suir man winning
the two-up sprint.
After riding a great race, Dowling faded a little in the
closing stages and Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo) came through to take the
bronze, which he added to the gold he had won in the TT days earlier.
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