The Sam Bennett Discussion Thread

[Leinster]

Stage 19 will matter more. 70 points on the line there.

Even if Sagan wins the intermediate on Tuesday uncontested, he’s pretty much going to have to beat Bennett Mano-a-Mano in more than one or two sprints to win green.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Sagan should be able to out score Bennett on that intermediate, but it’s very hard to see it being 20 - 0. Bora would have to prevent a break, drop Bennett, but not go so fast that they effectively are attacking, not then have DQS chase back, not get done over by Trentin, not have attackers go over the top of them etc. Possible, but very hard to pull off.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

A characteristically modest interview in which he flat out states that in a group like yesterday’s he’s the least strong https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/sam-bennett-nears-green-jersey-victory-in-tour-de-france/

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Top dog. Days for a sprinter don’t come much better than winning on the Champs Elysees in Green

 

[happytramp]

There ya have it.. Best sprinter of 2020. Says so right there on the front page. Nice one Sam.

 

[Leinster]

There ya have it.. Best sprinter of 2020. Says so right there on the front page. Nice one Sam.

If CN says it's so, it's so.

 

[Breezy1985]

Interesting that he has a bad one on one with a lot of riders but better when they are all together

 

[SHAD0W93]

Interesting that he has a bad one on one with a lot of riders but better when they are all together

That's too give them a false sense of security.

 

[Armchair cyclist]

His advert for Dublin city bikes:

WATCH Tour de France champ Sam Bennett stars in hilarious dublinbikes advert

Sam teamed up with NOW TV to launch the newly branded NOW TV dublinbikes which are available across Dublin City from this week

www.dublinlive.ie

 

[Armchair cyclist]

50th pro win today, a nice landmark.

 

[fuiers]

He is in pretty good condition. Good he really win MSR next month?

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

He is in pretty good condition. Good he really win MSR next month?

In theory a flat race with a couple of hills at the end should be prime territory for him and he’s clearly feeling good so it’s not impossible. But the fact is he’s never really been in contention at MSR and it‘snot that common for it to end in anything like a big group sprint these days.

 

[Leinster]

He needs a strong headwind on the Cipressa and Poggio to keep the Puncheurs under control. If a group of 30-40 arrives at the Via Roma, he should be strong enough to be among them, especially with Quickstep working for him.

The question is will they be working for him, or for Alaphilippe? (and the answer is "probably Alaphilippe")

 

[happytramp]

I feel there's way too many really strong classics guys these days who'll fancy their chances for it to come together for a sprint.... One can live in hope though.

 

[Sciatic]

I feel there's way too many really strong classics guys these days who'll fancy their chances for it to come together for a sprint.... One can live in hope though.

Agreed, the thing shaping San Remo (and the sprinter’s chances to win) is the presence of a set of ultra-elite puncheurs (Alaphillipe, Van Aert, MVDP, Sagan if he could back to his old self) who are also excellent descenders. Even though everyone knows what’s coming, when they take off near the top of the Poggio it’s hard for anyone else to stay with them.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

He needs a strong headwind on the Cipressa and Poggio to keep the Puncheurs under control. If a group of 30-40 arrives at the Via Roma, he should be strong enough to be among them, especially with Quickstep working for him.

The question is will they be working for him, or for Alaphilippe? (and the answer is "probably Alaphilippe")

Ballerini is down to ride MSR as well.
Would be a formidable lead-out (viz. Nizzolo at the Euros) but then again he's another option for the win.

 

[Bonimenier]

He needs a strong headwind on the Cipressa and Poggio to keep the Puncheurs under control. If a group of 30-40 arrives at the Via Roma, he should be strong enough to be among them, especially with Quickstep working for him.

The question is will they be working for him, or for Alaphilippe? (and the answer is "probably Alaphilippe")

Noone goes as fast on the Poggio as Alaphilippe, so it's hard to not ride for him. Bennett and Ballerini both have to try their best to hang on in case Alaphilippe gets caught.

 

[Leinster]

Noone goes as fast on the Poggio as Alaphilippe, so it's hard to not ride for him. Bennett and Ballerini both have to try their best to hang on in case Alaphilippe gets caught.

Van Aert went as fast as him last year, a bunch of guys went with him the year before, and he barely hung on when Sagan and Kwiatkowski attacked.

But yes, when Alaf inevitably attacks on the Poggio, and someone goes with him, it will help him to have the insurance option of “I have 2 in-form sprinters in my team in the peloton, so you’d better pull with me if you want this attack to succeed.”

In terms of this thread, the crucial point is that Sam has never made it to the Via Roma in a group with anything to sprint for.

 

[Naico]

Van Aert went as fast as him last year, a bunch of guys went with him the year before, and he barely hung on when Sagan and Kwiatkowski attacked.

But yes, when Alaf inevitably attacks on the Poggio, and someone goes with him, it will help him to have the insurance option of “I have 2 in-form sprinters in my team in the peloton, so you’d better pull with me if you want this attack to succeed.”

In terms of this thread, the crucial point is that Sam has never made it to the Via Roma in a group with anything to sprint for.

You're kidding right? I suggest you rewatch the footage

 

[Bonimenier]

Van Aert went as fast as him last year, a bunch of guys went with him the year before, and he barely hung on when Sagan and Kwiatkowski attacked.

But yes, when Alaf inevitably attacks on the Poggio, and someone goes with him, it will help him to have the insurance option of “I have 2 in-form sprinters in my team in the peloton, so you’d better pull with me if you want this attack to succeed.”

In terms of this thread, the crucial point is that Sam has never made it to the Via Roma in a group with anything to sprint for.

Your first paragraph couldn't be more wrong.

 

[happytramp]

Haven't seen Sam's name down to do anything prior to the tour... Maybe the dauphine but that's six or so weeks off... Anyone got an idea what's on his schedule between now and then?

 

[Pinot's goat]

Haven't seen Sam's name down to do anything prior to the tour... Maybe the dauphine but that's six or so weeks off... Anyone got an idea what's on his schedule between now and then?

He's surplus to requirements now.