It’s a new decade, and a fresh start for Sam Bennett. When the flag dropped at the start of the Schwalbe Classic on Sunday, the 29-year-old Irishman began what could and should be his best season to date. He’s previously played second fiddle to other riders at German team Bora- Hansgrohe, despite being arguably the fastest sprinter in the peloton, and now he has a point to prove.
Bennett moved to Deceuninck-Quick Step over the winter and will have the squad’s full backing in key events this season. The squad is both respected and feared within the peloton; it has a knack of putting riders in exactly the right place at exactly the right time and Bennett will have it at his disposal.
The effects on his career should be massive. At Bora-Hansgrohe he had to make way for Peter Sagan in races such as the Tour de France. The Slovak is arguably the slower of the two over the final 200 metres, but his versatility has enabled him to dominate the green jersey competition in the Tour. In 2017 and 2018 Bora sent Sagan to the Tour, Bennett to the Giro. In 2019, the Irishman found himself yielding ground to yet another rider, with the younger, less experienced — but German — Pascal Ackermann getting the nod for the Giro.
This story is from the January 23, 2020 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 23, 2020 edition of CYCLING WEEKLY.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Giant TCR Composite Gold
If this bike looks opulent, over the top and über-bling now, imagine the reaction of the bike-buying public 22 years ago when it was unveiled as a special limited edition made with real gold plate and costing the unthinkable sum of $10,000.
WATT WORKS FOR ME Kasia Niewiadoma
The Tour of Flanders runner-up talks lost bikes, altitude training and strength workouts
BREWING A BOOST
Coffee and cycling may be inextricably linked, but does the black stuff really improve our performance on the bike? Lexie Williamson investigates
Soto Helix Coffee Maker - £21.95
I really love the minimalism of this coffee brewer. It's a pour over stripped to its bare essentials: a conical spring that can hold a paper filter, and then compresses nearly flat when not in use.
Stanley Classic Perfect-Brew Pour Over
The Stanley Perfect-Brew Pour Over is the second simplest coffee maker on test, beaten only by the incredibly minimalist Soto Helix.
GSI Mini Espresso Set 1 Cup - £51.50
Starting off with the coffee makers that require a heat source, we have the GSI Outdoors Mini Espresso Set 1 Cup.
How do I up my coffee game?
How does the average Joe make the perfect mug of Joe? We sent Joe Baker to find out
THE HUB
All the news you might have missed from the last seven days
GOING FULL BEANS
Most cyclists enjoy a decent coffee, but some take it a step further. CW meets five self-declared obsessives who have pushed their twin passions, bikes and beans, to the nth degree
A love affair
Coffee connoisseur Adam Becket delves into the storied yet mysterious relationship between cycling and the original energy drink