"The though of work in an office is the scariest thing": George Bennett admits he can't imagine his life without bike

George Bennett's been through more than one hardship in 2025, but this year seems to be an opportunity to write a new chapter. Heading into the New Zeland's National Championships race, Bennett was not the biggest favourite, however the race played out in his favor and thus the 35-year-old will get the honor of wearing the special jersey for the second time in 5 years.

The Nationals were also Bennett's final race of the early-season block which included races in Australia. His next known appointment is the Volta a Catulunya at the end of March, however Bennett expects to be at the start of either Trofeo Laigueglia or Strade Bianche already at the beginning of his European campaign.

"The big block for me starts when I go to Europe, doing altitude camp, and then we're really going to focus on the spring, so it's been intentionally dialled back," Bennett told Cyclingnews. After Catalunya, Bennett is likely to compete in Ardennes before wrapping up the spring at the Tour de Romandie.

"It's a new approach and of course, you're so motivated when you start back on the bike that you want to train really hard but it's been quite deliberate to actually just rein it in a bit," said Bennett. "It's a long block, so you can't be tired before you get there."

Bennett has been long looking to turn a page in 2026. And with the national title, his cyclist spirit is buzzing to get stuck in the thick of action while sporting the typical Kiwi black-and-white colours throughout the season.

"I'm more motivated than I've been in the past. I think I have a good appreciation for how much of a privilege it is to be a bike racer," said Bennett. "I think just being in a nice team, nice environment, good guys, you want to be around them, you want to perform for your teammates and for the staff. I think that helps a lot. Maybe I've got past a lot of the stresses of what it used to be, and I find it a really enjoyable thing to do."

Bennett has definitely entered the period of his career when he is looked up to as one of the most experienced riders in NSN Cycling Team, as the 35-year-old enters his 15th season in professional peloton.

The years in the peloton may be accumulating, but there is certainly no sense that Bennett is marking time. "I know the years are limited. Maybe I've only got three more years or something, so you start thinking - OK, I need to enjoy these."

He then looks further ahead, but an idea of a regular 9-5 job doesn't sit well with Bennett after having spent his entire life travelling with his bicycle: "I guess, I don't think about it too much, and just enjoy that I'm here and focus on the processes… it fits my personality, of ticking the boxes, and the thought of going to work in an office is the scariest thing in the world."