"I couldn't be at my best to make use of it" - Sam Bennett shares reasons for 'frustrating' season

Sam Bennett had a rough ending to his stint with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team, but the knee injury he sustained in 2021 translated to a difficult start to the year in 2022. A season of ups and downs, Bennett talked about it as BORA - hansgrohe meet up for the first time in preparation of 2023.

"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 in a press conference at the ongoing team training camp in Mallorca. "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."

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At the Vuelta a Espana Bennett won two stages and finally looked to be back to good form (before abandoning with Covid-19). Before that he took a good win at the World Tour-ranked Eschborn-Frankfurt, however could not perform on the ascents as he used to in the past. This saw him struggle throughout most of the year as he lacked form, and almost voluntarily withdrew from the Tour de France. His leadout man Danny van Poppel still raced the Tour, representing BORA at the sprints.

"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," he said.

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"The main thing about this year is I finished good. 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," the Irishman continued. An aggressive performance at Paris-Tours late in the year, where he finished third, seemed to be the confirmation that Bennett had his form back.

"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," he said, having twice finished on the podium, mostly due to the extraordinary leadouts of van Poppel. "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."

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"But everything's really on track now," he assures. "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."

He will continue to have the same confidence within the team. His leadout of van Poppel, Ryan Mullen and Shane Archbold continues all on board, whilst the like of Jordi Meeus and Matthew Walls can provide occasional support alongside their own opportunities. Marco Haller, Nils Politt and Nico Denz make this an extremely sprint-focused team, capable of supporting him well all throughout the year.

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Regarding the Tour absence, Bennet commented: "I was in denial. I believed I was going. I probably would've gotten better as the race went on. But if I was a team manager and I looked at the results and looked at the racing, I'd probably do the same thing. It's understandable."

"The main thing is that when I am going good the opportunity is there to take. In the end, it might have been the best decision this year because I got two stage wins in the Vuelta and was chasing green before I got sick. I was back to my old self. It's sport. You're going to have moments where you're disappointed, but you just keep going. It's just bike racing," he concluded.

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