Ireland has had some great national men's road race champions down the years. But having Sam Bennett in the Irish champion's jersey really does tick all the boxes (Photo: Caroline Kerley)
Sam Bennett as Irish Champ: 5 talking points
He deserves it
Sam Bennett hasn’t always had it easy; a crash with a motorist
as a younger rider caused injuries that plagued his career. Yet he persisted
for years when there was no money in it for him.
When he finally got his chance with NetApp-Endura he
really seized it; winning smaller races at first and continuing to build.
He went into his first Tour de France after a trouble-hit preparation and rode himself to a standstill; pressing on even when he began urinating blood.
And when he crashed during his second Tour ride he battled all the way to the finish despite breaking a finger in that stage 1 fall; one among a litany of injuries.
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It’s easy now to assume raw talent has gotten him to
where he is today and that it has all come easy to him.
But there has been a serious amount of perseverance down the years, often in difficult circumstances and when he couldn’t be sure major success would one day come of it.
People wanted him to win
There is no doubting that Bennett is a very popular
rider. And without disrespecting any other Irish cyclist, especially those who
rode the championships, a lot of people in Irish cycling wanted him to win.
When he pulled away with Eddie Dunbar it was clear one of them would take the title and either one would have been a fitting champion.
Bennett is arguably the best sprinter in the world right
now and Dunbar is one of the most exciting emerging climbers.
They are of the Irish scene, having come up through local
club races and open races on the amateur circuit in Ireland. And most in the
Irish cycling community have watched both develop since they were kids.
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It seemed somehow fitting then that either Bennett or Dunbar would win; though Conor Dunne and Ryan Mullen have also been two great champions for Ireland and may be again in the years ahead.
It meant a lot to him
Anyone who saw Bennett come up the finishing straight in
Derry and continually check around to see where Eddie Dunbar was could see
there was almost disbelief in his celebration.
This was a title he very obviously really wanted to win.
Indeed, he seemed too excited and stunned to perform his usually two-armed
victory salute, or to even punch the air with one hand on the steep finish.
His celebration suggested he’d just won a race he feared
he never would and one that meant a great deal to him.
Immediately afterwards he spoke of it being an emotional moment in his career and of doing the jersey proud. Those were clearly the words of a man who really wanted the title and who holds it in very high esteem.
He should win races in the jersey
Having won a lot of races in his career already, Bennett
is having his most prolific season to date; eight wins and counting.
And while sprinting is all about form and momentum, it
seems certain Bennett should win more big races soon.
Ireland has punched above its weight – at times, and with long periods between star riders – and it will be great to see the Irish champion’s jersey on the shoulders of a riding taking a big win.
The domestic scene is going through testing times; the
mothballing of Rás Tailteann just one in a series of races being hit by what continue
to be financially testing times in Ireland.
And while having one of our very small number of star riders in the jersey doesn’t disguise the problems at home, it is something to cheer on in what are uncertain times for Irish cycling.
He’ll be a great champion
Just like Conor Dunne has been for the past 12 months, Sam
Bennett is a champion Irish cycling can stand over.
His ability on the bike aside, he’s a great ambassador
for Ireland and Irish cycling everywhere he goes. He seems modest in interviews
after big wins and doesn’t seem to take his privileged position for granted.
Even when left out of the Bora-hansgrohe team for the
Giro, he expressed his disappointment in very clear terms, as was his right,
but he never disrespected the team.
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