Sam Bennett went into the 2024 season with one mission; to relaunch his career with a new team and try and kickstart a successful final chapter of his time in the pro peloton. Though his tenure in the paid ranks has been a huge success when judged in it's totality, athletes like Bennett must keep performing again and again.
They expect continued success of themselves and the army of fans and critics watching on also expect the hits to keep coming. Indeed, it has been notable how dismissive and critical comments about Bennett have crept in on social media in recent years; thrown out by those who seem keen to overlook his record as one of our best ever riders.
So how did 2024 go for the Carrick-on-Suir man in the new surroundings of Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale? Is some of the criticism and negativity to be expected?
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And what does the last year mean for the rest of his career; however long it may continue and the quality of the results he may achieve in the time he has left?
New team, new season, new rider?
There is no doubt post-injury Sam Bennett has not been the same rider as the one who could really do not wrong from mid 2017 to mid 2021. He has struggled to regain his former powers since injuring his knee before the Tour de France in 2021, having won two stages and the green jersey the previous year.
Granted, two of his 10 Grand Tour stage wins have come in the post-injury era; at La Vuelta in 2022. But, overall, the hits have been fewer in recent years.
This season was a frustrating one. We saw flashes of the old Bennett - albeit in lower level racing - when he won four of the six stages at Four Days of Dunkirk back in May. Those wins secured overall victory for him but most impressive was the manner of his riding on the final day.
When the field fractured on undulating terrain, he went on the rampage off the front, refusing to take no for an answer and winning the day.
When that week was concluded, it looked like the old Bennett was back. He even looked happier and more aggressive. But that success was followed by disappointment, with no more wins through the rest of the campaign.
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His last three races of the year - the Tour de France, Tour de Pologne and Renewi Tour all resulted in early exits, with apparent stomach issues. The fact his final race was on August 31st - when he abandoned Renewi Tour - was a concern as the best part of two months remained in the season.
Overall, this year there were flashes of what we know he is capable of. But the big bump in performance that might have come from a change of team did not eventuate. At the same time, his team had it's best season for two decades - a tricky dynamic when a star rider like Bennett falls short of expectations.
Next season and legacy
No matter what happens in 2025 and beyond, Bennett's legacy is secure. He has won 67 UCI-ranked races, including 10 Grand Tour stages and the points classifications in all three Grand Tours, as well as one-day World Tour races. His place in cycling's history is secure and he ranks with Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and Dan Martin as Ireland's most successful riders.
Many of the cranky and dismissive comments that have crept in on social media in recent years don't appear to appreciate what he has already achieved.
But Bennett will want another big chapter before he calls time on his career. And having just turned 34 years, there is no reason why he cannot still keep going - Mark Cavendish winning a Tour stage aged 39-years this season a case in a point.
However, next year is make or break. It will be the second in a two-year contract at Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and if Bennett wants another decent contract, he must take wins early and often.
Whether he can turn it on like he did in his pomp is simply impossible to know at this stage. However, he will be under real pressure to perform - which often brings out the best in top athletes - and his racing of last May shows the hunger and kick is still there.
Next year will be his 12th season in the paid ranks and it could be his last. While mediocre results would still be enough to secure a contract somewhere, his price would slip. And most top riders do not want continue on much reduced terms.
But he is just one or two big wins away from a proper relaunch, which should not be ruled out. At Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, he is now in an environment where winning races suddenly became a habit this year.
Bennett can definitely win big again, and maybe carve out a Cavendish-like late career purple patch. But he needs to hit the ground running in 2025.
