Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) may not have been in the mix at the pointy end in the final sprint at stage 1 Paris-Nice today, but the Irishman believes his condition is going in the right direction.
He has said he has settled into his new team, after an off-season transfer out of Bora-hansgrohe, very well. And though he is yet to win a race this season - though he came very close on the final stage at Tour de la Provence (2.1) last month - he says his condition is good.
He was confident in his form and fitness but acknowledge he was still working on his top end power, and once he had whipped that into shape a little more, he was confident his first win would come.
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Asked how things had gone with his new team so far, Bennett replied the first months had been "fantastic".
? Départ canon pour @KooijOlav qui lève les bras d’un rien devant @Mads__Pedersen.
Les favoris se sont déjà montré, de quoi s’attendre à de belles batailles pour le #MaillotjauneLCL sur le reste de la semaine. ? pic.twitter.com/b3epS1jz7x
— Maillot Jaune LCL (@MaillotjauneLCL) March 3, 2024
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"It's been a nice transition," Bennett said. "OK, I didn't get a win yet, but I think with the support of the team, and the way the form is growing, it should come soon, I hope."
He added Paris-Nice would be his first race with the lead-out coming from Oliver Naesen and Dries De Bondt, a combination the Irishman could work well in time.
"We have to kinda get a feel for each other. Those two guys have a lot of experience, and I think it will go quite well.
"My shape is good. I just have to get the max power, I'm still working a little bit on that. In terms of fitness, its's quite OK, quite good. But, yeah, I just have to get that sprint back."
While Bennett looked like he would be in contention today at the end of the opening stage, Bennett appeared to have to dig deep with about 1km to go. And that effort, on what was a rolly finale, seemed to empty his legs for the final push to the line.
He ended the stage in 20th place, sitting up when the final kick didn't happen for him. Olav Kooij (Visma-Lease a Bike) claimed the victory from Mads Pedersen (Lidl Trek) and Laurence Pithie (Groupama-FDJ).
Tomorrow's stage, some 177.6km from Thoiry to Montargis looks like another one for the sprinters.
