"Unreal genetics" make Tour de France winners, George Bennett says - "UAE didn’t test anywhere near as much as Jumbo"

George Bennett is now 34 years of age and riding with Israel - Premier Tech. The Kiwi says that he's had his best level ever this season, but it's nowhere near the level necessary to have the results he's had with UAE Team Emirates and Team Visma | Lease a Bike. As one of the few riders who's been in both teams, he also provides insight into how they sign riders.

“People always like to give this romantic mystique to riders that are really genetically talented. They say that, this guy, mentally he's a fortress or something like that. It's a myth. It's genetics," Bennett says in a very honest and direct interview with Rouleur. "It's who's got a massive engine. You could find a rider who works harder than these guys and he’s still not going to be as good. I know some of these GC guys really well and I've had to sit at the table with them and make sure they finish their breakfast because they're so nervous before a race, then they go and become Tour de France champions".

Training and all the aspects of being a pro rider is key, but Bennett is under no illusion that genetics are what makes the biggest difference when it comes to comparing pro riders who train in similar ways. "You can’t tell me they’re mentally unbreakable, they’re not. They’ve just got unreal genetics. Biology is on their side and that is a real lottery. People want them to be Gods, doing 40 hours a week in the rain. I'm not saying they don't work hard but it's not that the four best riders in the world are the four hardest working riders in the world.”

The veteran also outlies how different things are key for different riders to be motivated throughout the year, regarding racing, training or nutrition wise... “I think it's just finding what's important to you. Some guys, the most important thing for them is to have a luxury team with the fancy bus and flying business class. And for some people the most important thing is to be riding with your mates or to have a good race schedule". 

Bennett finished second at Il Lombardia back in 2020, but has since struggled to obtain the same results. This year he did have some good performances such as the third place at the Giro d'Abruzzo where we've seen very strong climbing performances; another podium at the Sibiu Cycling Tour; 12th at the Clásica San Sebastián and was in contention for a Top10 at the Volta a Catalunya and Tour de Suisse. But his power output doesn't earn him the same results in a peloton that is evolving at rapid speed.

“I’m pretty happy with the power coming out which is good, because everyone told me it should get worse as you get old. I don’t really believe that, I think people just get less motivated, or they have kids or their life changes," he argues. "I don't think at a biological level, you get worse. Maybe you get a little bit slower with fast twitch muscles in sprints, but there's nothing to suggest you should, at a cellular level, be worse. I think a lot of it is situational or emotional.”

Bennett spent seven seasons with the Visma team and two with UAE, teaming up with the likes of Tadej Pogacar, whilst also watching generational talents such as Primoz Roglic and Jonas Vingegaard grow. He knows a significant difference when it comes to the team's transfer habits. “UAE didn’t test anywhere near as much as Jumbo. They just sort of picked up riders off race results, because they had the budget to do that".

He also shares something that is particularly difficult in the life of a pro rider, which is balancing work with family time. “For me, I get home to see my family for six weeks a year. It's the most precious time when you go home to see everybody. If you do that period well, I feel like you can store enough emotional energy to get you through the year".

Bennett tells that he could've left the Israeli team, but chose to be part of it as he looks to have freedom to chase his own results and chase the emotion of racing. “I look at the options I had on the table for this year and I could have definitely taken the money and gone to a team where I would keep doing what I was doing".

"Instead, I went to a Pro Continental team and put myself in an environment that’s the best for being good again. I think that’s the far more exciting option. I still love the sport and I feel like I could do it for another 10 years. I really enjoy everything, but it’s so much better when you’re good, it’s horrible when you’re bad and you dread racing. When you’re going well, you can’t wait to race. It’s a treat," he concluded.