.
.
.
#SamBennett #CalebEwan #GirodItalia #ProCycling #TourDeFrance #GrandTour #Sprinters #CyclingRivalries #RetirementAnnouncement #DecathlonAG2RLaMondiale #LaVuelta #MarkCavendish #CyclingLegends #CyclingInspiration #OlderRiders
Source link
Sam Bennett, the Irish sprinter set to compete in the Giro d’Italia starting tomorrow, has expressed his surprise and admiration for the career of Caleb Ewan, who recently announced his immediate retirement from professional cycling. Bennett, who is aiming to add to his 10 Grand Tour stage wins, described Ewan as both a close on-and-off-bike friend and a significant rival who pushed him to his limits, bringing out the best in both of them.
Bennett, who has been based in Monaco alongside Ewan, admitted the Australian’s sudden retirement announcement came as a shock. “It was a bit of a shock actually, a guy I’ve been quite close to in the peloton and off the bike as well,” Bennett said. “It’s a shock that people around me are retiring because I still feel quite young. And I feel like I’ve a good couple of years left in me. But it feels weird actually.”
Reflecting on their shared experiences, Bennett highlighted the competitive dynamic between them. “We had some good battles, and some moments in our career when we pushed each other to our limits and got the best out of ourselves because of it.” This mutual rivalry was a driving force in their careers, pushing both riders to achieve their best performances.
Bennett’s own career has seen its share of highs and challenges. His most notable successes include two stage wins at the 2020 Tour de France, where he also claimed the green jersey as the race’s top sprinter. However, he has not competed in the Tour since then, largely due to persistent knee injuries that have hampered his progress. In 2022, he won two stages at La Vuelta before being forced to withdraw due to Covid-19. Since then, Bennett has continued to secure victories, including four already this year, demonstrating his enduring talent and resilience.
When asked if Mark Cavendish’s remarkable comeback in the 2021 Tour de France—where he won four stages after several lean years—served as inspiration, Bennett acknowledged Cavendish’s greatness but remained humble. “It’s hard to compare yourself to somebody who was one of the greats of all time,” Bennett said. “But it shows you can still be winning at the top level as a sprinter at an older age. The trend in cycling now is to go younger and younger. But there’s plenty of life in the older riders too.”
Cavendish’s resurgence is a testament to the enduring potential of experienced riders, even in a sport increasingly dominated by youth. Bennett, who still feels he has several competitive years ahead of him, seems motivated by this example as he heads into the Giro d’Italia.
The Giro presents an opportunity for Bennett to reassert himself on the Grand Tour stage after a challenging period. His recent victories indicate that he remains a formidable sprinter, and he will be looking to capitalize on his form to add to his tally of stage wins. With a career marked by both triumphs and setbacks, Bennett’s determination and resilience continue to define him as a rider.
As Bennett prepares for the Giro, Ewan’s retirement serves as a poignant reminder of the transient nature of professional cycling careers. The camaraderie and rivalry shared between the two sprinters have left a lasting impact on both their journeys. Bennett’s tribute to Ewan underscores the respect and friendship that can exist even in the fiercely competitive world of professional cycling.
In summary, Sam Bennett enters the Giro d’Italia with a mix of motivation and reflection. While aiming to add to his impressive list of Grand Tour victories, he acknowledges the influence of both his rivalry with Caleb Ewan and the inspiration drawn from Mark Cavendish’s comeback. As the race begins, Bennett’s focus will be on proving that age and experience still have a vital role to play in the sport, even as the peloton increasingly trends toward youth.
