Sam Bennett will make his long-awaited season debut on Wednesday, lining up at Nokere Koerse to mark his comeback from heart surgery.
The Irish sprinter moved from Decathlon CMA CGM to Pinarello-Q36.5 over the winter but has yet to pin a number to the kit of his new team after being diagnosed with atrial fibrillation towards the end of last year.
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“My general fitness is very good — the base and the zone two work feel normal again. What still needs time are the repeated high efforts and time in VO2 max. That’s something you can’t rush.”
“For me it’s more of a wildcard – to test the water, race on instinct and see where I am. I just want the freedom to race naturally and see what happens,” he said, backing Matteo Moschetti as Pinarello-Q36.5’s leader.
“This race will be exciting because it’s a chance to see where I am. It’s a learning curve – to understand what’s good, what’s not good and what I still need to work on. It’s strange to have the nerves of the first race of the season this late in March, but I’m excited. Nervous as well – in a good way – and really looking forward to racing again.
“It will be really nice to race with the guys and properly be part of the team. Everyone has been incredibly supportive, but until you train and race together you’re still watching a bit from the sidelines.”
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