The Sam Bennett Discussion Thread

[42x16ss]

Re:

If Sagan is as bad in Suisse as he was in California, do they change tack and bring Bennett to the Tour?

Probably not, because they'll also need to bring someone like Archbold as well. If they're serious about supporting a GC rider then they can't afford too much sprint support.

 

[Leinster]

Re: Re:

If Sagan is as bad in Suisse as he was in California, do they change tack and bring Bennett to the Tour?

Probably not, because they'll also need to bring someone like Archbold as well. If they're serious about supporting a GC rider then they can't afford too much sprint support.

This is Bora we're talking about. They don't have a (legitimate) gc rider.

 

[Beobachter]

Re: Re:

If Sagan is as bad in Suisse as he was in California, do they change tack and bring Bennett to the Tour?

Probably not, because they'll also need to bring someone like Archbold as well. If they're serious about supporting a GC rider then they can't afford too much sprint support.

This is Bora we're talking about. They don't have a (legitimate) gc rider.

It's not as much about supporting a GC rider as offering fair treatment to every rider of the team.
Buchmann will be the man for the GC but it doesn't mean that all of a sudden Bora will only consider that goal. Buchmann will be protected, supported. So will be Sagan. And other riders will still be able to have some freedom: both Schachmann and Konrad will be free to play their cards for example. All these riders deserve to be at the Tour and the whole list makes sense collectively

That being said, it's likely Sagan will have one man less this year in his guard since Bodnar is more likely to go to the Vuelta.
So no, if a Bodnar is left out since the depth of the team is so important, it means that in no way some more sprint support could be brought if needed. If ever for x reasons Sagan could not be here, there would be a small chance Bennett would be. But he'd be there without proper leadout since there is no room for sprint support.

And anyway, an Archbold doesn't have the level to go to the Tour. I'm not even sure it makes sense to see him at the Vuelta tbh.

For the Tour, so far, the team is supposed to be the following:
Sagan, Burghardt, Oss, Pöstlberger, Buchmann, Schachmann, Konrad, Múhlberger (Bodnar as joker)
For the Vuelta: Majka, Poljanski, Formolo, Grossschartner, Bennett, Pfingsten. + 2 (Drucker if able? Archbold?, Schillinger? Juraj?...)

 

[Mayomaniac]

I remember Konrad working for Sam durning the last Giro while riding for the gc, the Imola stage would be a good example. He also did the leadout for him when he won the P-N stage 2 years ago, so those 2 can coexist pretty well on the same team.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

There’s zero chance of Bennett going to the Tour. Sagan is the team’s meal ticket. Even if his bad (by his standards) year continues and he manages to not win a stage or Green, his presence is worth more in publicity than a couple of stage wins by anyone else. Specialized in particular have made him a central focus for their brand image. Also he has signed a contract extension and alienating him would hurt the team for years to come. Sure you can make a case on sporting grounds that Bennett currently looks a more reliable bet for wins. You could also make a case for Ackermann over Sagan on the same grounds. It doesn’t matter. Sagan’s the man unless his leg falls off.

Trying to bring another sprinter alongside Sagan is not a serious option. They absolutely will not antagonize or screw over Sagan. It would be suicidal management to do so.

Bennett understands the GT squad decisions have been made. He has responded by trying to win a stage in every race he rides rather than with whining that would damage team morale. He’s not giving press conferences agitating to get into the Tour team. He’s preparing for Binkbank and then the Vuelta. It’s the correct way to handle things, burning no bridges at Bora while simultaneously making him look professional, a team player, low drama, etc to other prospective employers

 

[happytramp]

So Sam to replace Viviani at quick step if reports are to be believed.

 

[del1962]

Re:

So Sam to replace Viviani at quick step if reports are to be believed.

Competition with Jacobsen? Though he should get chances if this is true

 

[jaylew]

QS would be the best situation for Bennett (and for almost any sprinter, honestly) as they make every sprinter look better. I think they would put him firmly in the very top tier and elevate his stature in the peloton.

 

[Leinster]

Just as interesting is this from Cycling Weekly;

“Viviani’s lead-out man Fabio Sabatini will follow his Italian compatriot to Cofidis, with the Argentinian champion Maximiliano Richeze linking up with fellow South American Fernando Gaviria at UAE Team Emirates for the 2020 season, having been the Colombian’s lead-out man during his tenure with the Belgian team.”

If Bennett goes to QS and Richeze (for one) isn’t there, he could find it isn’t the perfect fix he had hoped for.

 

[jaylew]

Re:

Just as interesting is this from Cycling Weekly;

“Viviani’s lead-out man Fabio Sabatini will follow his Italian compatriot to Cofidis, with the Argentinian champion Maximiliano Richeze linking up with fellow South American Fernando Gaviria at UAE Team Emirates for the 2020 season, having been the Colombian’s lead-out man during his tenure with the Belgian team.”

If Bennett goes to QS and Richeze (for one) isn’t there, he could find it isn’t the perfect fix he had hoped for.

I have no doubt he'll be just fine if he goes there, Richeze or no. Plenty of options for helpers and leadout men.

 

[Midnightfright]

Re: Re:

Just as interesting is this from Cycling Weekly;

“Viviani’s lead-out man Fabio Sabatini will follow his Italian compatriot to Cofidis, with the Argentinian champion Maximiliano Richeze linking up with fellow South American Fernando Gaviria at UAE Team Emirates for the 2020 season, having been the Colombian’s lead-out man during his tenure with the Belgian team.”

If Bennett goes to QS and Richeze (for one) isn’t there, he could find it isn’t the perfect fix he had hoped for.

I have no doubt he'll be just fine if he goes there, Richeze or no. Plenty of options for helpers and leadout men.

Also with it being QS you would have faith they will find an appropriate lead out. I really rate Bennett and think this is another canny signing

 

[Salvarani]

Re: Re:

Just as interesting is this from Cycling Weekly;

“Viviani’s lead-out man Fabio Sabatini will follow his Italian compatriot to Cofidis, with the Argentinian champion Maximiliano Richeze linking up with fellow South American Fernando Gaviria at UAE Team Emirates for the 2020 season, having been the Colombian’s lead-out man during his tenure with the Belgian team.”

If Bennett goes to QS and Richeze (for one) isn’t there, he could find it isn’t the perfect fix he had hoped for.

I have no doubt he'll be just fine if he goes there, Richeze or no. Plenty of options for helpers and leadout men.

Also with it being QS you would have faith they will find an appropriate lead out. I really rate Bennett and think this is another canny signing

Morkov and Asgreen been good too, and as you said, Im sure they will find someone more. Then they also have guys like Jungels, Senechal etc.

 

[happytramp]

Another good win for Sam today. I assume targeting the points Jersey in the Vuelta is out of the question? I can't remember the last time an out and out sprinter won it.

 

[Leinster]

No reason not to go for as many stage wins as he can, and let the points land where they may. He’d need to get in some breakaways a la Sagan or Trentin a couple of years ago when he won 4 stages and only lost the jersey to Froome on the final stage.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I’m more curious about whether he’s going to seriously try to hold on for GC at BinckBank.

 

[Flamin]

I’m more curious about whether he’s going to seriously try to hold on for GC at BinckBank.

You do realize there's (even though short,) a pretty hard Ardennes stage on the menu on Thursday?

 

[yaco]

Bennett biggest worry is the ITT even though it's a short one - Bennett is the best sprinter at getting over Ardennes type climbs.

 

[hayneplane]

I’m more curious about whether he’s going to seriously try to hold on for GC at BinckBank.

I hope he gives it a full shake as the time trial is short enough for a durable sprinter like him to limit his losses and he has shown in recent Grand Tours that he can get over more obstacles than most riders in his specialty.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

I hope he gives it a full shake as the time trial is short enough for a durable sprinter like him to limit his losses and he has shown in recent Grand Tours that he can get over more obstacles than most riders in his specialty.

I’d like to see him try properly as well, but from his interviews he only sounds focused on another stage. I suspect he will sit up and lose minutes when the puncheurs start going for it.

 

[barmaher]

He would have no chance on the Muur stage.

 

[tobydawq]

It's just remarkable how the 1990 generation is the gift that keeps giving.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

He would have no chance on the Muur stage.

Fair point.

 

[Leinster]

He would have no chance on the Muur stage.

Is this one of those “he’s never tried it, so clearly he isn’t actually any good at it “ truths in cycling?

I hope he at least gives it a rattle and try and find out.

 

[42x16ss]

Bennett can survive climbs, but nothing that steep. Leaders jersey will provide some motivation though I guess.

 

[Finn84]

It's just remarkable how the 1990 generation is the gift that keeps giving.

I've sometimes been thinking which year would produce the best team. Put eight riders in from different categories.

GC leader
Two mountain domestiques
Sprinter
Lead-out
TT Specialist
Cobblestone specialist
Breakaway specialist

Of course some riders could fill multiple ones, like in 1990 team Sagan could be possible selection for sprinter and cobblestone specialist. But that's different discussion which may be continued on other topic.