"I just don’t know what direction to take now" - Sam Bennett shocked and disappointed with BORA - hansgrohe's decision to leave him out of Tour de France
Cycling
Sam Bennett missed the Tour de France in 2022 however due to lack of form, which was understood in BORA - hansgrohe after signing him as the team's new star. However in 2023 the scenario is almost exactly the same but the reactions completely different, as the Irishman was not counting on the decision.
“First I was shocked, then I was upset, and now a week later I am still processing it. I just don’t know what direction to take now," Bennett admitted in an interview with The Irish Times. “For sure, I would have been in top shape. The green jersey was something that I really wanted to go for. I really think that I could have competed for that. I have the experience. I know what’s involved. And of course, I know how to win at that level. I’ve done it before. Everything was on target."
Bennett, who returned to good form last year with wins at the Vuelta a Espana and an explosive performance at Paris-Tours, has not had the best of years so far, however did win at the Vuelta a San Juan, and showed decent form at the recent Criterium du Dauphiné. Throughout the whole season BORA were public on their decision to back him and Jai Hindley equally at the Tour, and his leadout has been selected. However, the list did not include Bennett.
“Last year, I still believe I would have got something out of the race. Because I’m the kind of rider that gets better as the race goes on. But I understood last year. I didn’t fight it. I knew where they were coming from," he continues, "I always try to put myself in other people’s position, even though I felt I should have gone last year and could have got something out of it. But this year, I should be there. I deserve my place. It’s hard. It’s a tough one.”
Bennett reveals that he wasn't expecting the decision to pull him out, and was not happy with it. More than not happy, the decision has left him scratching his head as he admits, as he is unsure of what path to follow now. He states that his form was coming up nicely, and the team's decision to keep all of his leadout men still in the selection - but with Jordi Meeus replacing him as head sprinter - wasn't understandable.
“I think it would be very close (to top form, ed.). Definitely, with regards the engine. It was different in 2020, because I was going for stages first of all, and then the green jersey started coming my way. So I probably would have gone in straight away going for green, and then looking for stages too. The approach would have been different, but I think I would have been pretty similar.”
Bennett went on to finish third in a hilly Irish national championships, he is scheduled to ride the upcoming Sibiu Cycling Tour, and likely the Vuelta a Espana later in the year - as was the case in 2022. However, his departure from the German team seems certain at this point as the team is said to be in close contacts with Team DSM sprinter Sam Welsford as their new fast man, whilst Bennett himself could head towards Human Powered Health.
“I just have to keep doing what I’m doing. I’ve still so much I want to accomplish in the sport. I’m not ready to just ride around for a few years. I want to do the work. I want to win these races. And I’m so ambitious still," he concludes. "I need a place where I have opportunity and where I can go for those wins. Working that out is going to be the tricky thing now.”
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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