Sam Bennett: “I just want to thank the team again”
“It’s quite nice after a few difficult years. I just want to thank the team again for their fantastic job. Let’s focus now on the future. The upcoming races could be the Dauphiné or the Tour de Suisse. I’m preparing for the Tour and hopefully will get the selection. I need a good, hard race for this preparation. The flow is back; I might need a bit more top-end power, but it’s progressing.”
Sébastien Joly : “It’s the kind of week we will remember for a long time!”
“The cobblestone stage in Cassel was quite incredible; on one hand, there was satisfaction for the general classification and on the other, frustration from being beaten by a few centimeters. The icing on the cake came after this stage, with an ideal race scenario, a plan followed to the letter, and excellent control by Oliver Naesen. All this allowed us to keep the jersey and even increase our lead in the general classification. The work done by the entire team allowed us to approach the final stage calmly, with the desire to have one last great sprint. The boys all showed a lot of dedication; I believe what stands out from this week is a very good sporting record but above all, a sense of calm and good communication between the riders and also with the staff. It’s the kind of week we will remember for a long time!”
Like the number of stage races won by Sam Bennett among the professionals. After four stage victories, Sam leaves Paul Penhoët, the second in the general classification, 38 seconds behind. His last victory in the general classification of a stage race dated back to his early years in Ireland; he had won in 2008 at the Junior Tour of Ireland and then in 2013 at the Suir Valley Three Days.
