Sam Bennett is "one big step ahead of last year" Bora-Hansgrohe believe

Tuesday, 10 January 2023 at 10:00

BORA - hansgrohe’s Head of Performance Dan Lorang has backed the team's star sprinter Sam Bennett for a successful season in 2023. Saying of the Irishman, "I would say he is one big step ahead of last year."

Bennett, a ten-time Grand Tour stage winner and a former Tour de France green jersey has had some bad luck with injuries in recent years. But after getting back to somewhere near his best in 2022, the upcoming season is set to show the world he's back according to Lorang. "He did a whole season in 2022 and is now pain free," he reveals. "He is now one step further."

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The Irishman's 2023 campaign will get up and running at the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina on January 22nd. With the UAE Tour following on February 20th. With both these races offering plenty of opportunities for sprint victories, Bennett has the perfect chance to lay down a marker for the season. "San Juan is to start and get in the rhythm," Lorang said. "And for sure UAE is always a big goal for sprinters, and [performing there] would be good for Sam to have the confidence for the whole year."

As mentioned, Bennett is a sprinter with plenty of Grand tour pedigree. However as Bora-Hansgrohe become more and more orientated around the general classification of cycling's three-week stage races, it's unsure when Bennett will be given the chance to add to his tally. Despite this, according to Lorang, "it seems that there is no reason to be concerned."