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The 2022 season marked Sam Bennett‘s ‘homecoming’ to Bora-Hansgrohe after two seasons away at QuickStep.
However, his first year back at the German squad didn’t go quite to plan, with the Irish sprinter enduring a tough opening half to the season before missing out on Tour de France selection.
Bennett has described the season as “one of the most frustrating” of his career despite finishing the season strongly with two stage wins at the Vuelta a España, though his struggles have only motivated him more for the upcoming 2023 season, his 10th as a professional.
“It was fantastic to be back in the team. I’m really happy with my decision and the support the guys gave. It was incredible,” Bennett said during Bora-Hansgrohe’s press day earlier in the week.
“I think the most frustrating thing about this season was I had this amazing opportunity with this team with teammates, equipment, the whole structure around me, and I couldn’t be at my best to make use of it.
“I think that was probably one of the most frustrating years of my career because it was there for me, and I couldn’t make use of it. I think it was a frustrating year but, in the end, I got back up and running and I’m motivated for next season.”
Bennett said that he’s “back in the normal rhythm” of preparing for the new season now, but last off-season it was a different story.
He started out 2022 in promising fashion with two podium spots at the UAE Tour – “a bloody miracle” according to him – but wouldn’t take a victory until May’s Eschborn-Frankfurt classic.
“The main thing about this year is I finished good,” he said. “Starting back with everybody else you’re playing catch up and now it feels like a normal year again, because I had my offseason building up, the team camp everything’s right and well. I’m just back in the normal rhythm.
“Last year, I didn’t have the best pre-season and when I look back at UAE it’s a bloody miracle that I got the podium there. I had nothing done, like really nothing done, and managed to get them. So, I can’t really compare the physical side because they’re just totally different levels.
“But everything’s really on track now. It’s about keeping it going really, just don’t overthink it, because I’ve won before – it’s just about going through the process of making sure I’m good, fit, healthy. And the team is here surrounding me and giving me the support, and the results will come.”
Bennett was a notable omission from Bora-Hansgrohe‘s Tour de France squad in July. Danny…
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