'I just had to keep the faith': Sam Bennett hungry for more after maiden Giro stage win
Bennett looking to push on after finally taking his maiden Grand Tour victory at the Giro d'Italia
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Faith, confidence and an improved team led to Sam Bennett's maiden Grand Tour win in the Giro d'Italia.
Bora-Hansgrohe's Irish sprinter shot clear of top rival Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors) along the Tyrrhenian coast to win in Praia a Mare after so many close calls in 2018 and 2017.
>>> Five talking points from stage seven of the Giro d’Italia
"I am definitely hungry for more wins, I want more in this Giro now," Bennett said when reaching the press room. The big ginger-haired sprinter added, "I feel a big weight is off my shoulders."
He placed third three times and second once in 2017 after starting the race sick. In this edition, he ended the first two sprints in Israel third behind winner Elia Viviani.
Bennett took his Grand Tour first when the Giro d'Italia reached its homeland, but also mainland Italy. After a ferry crossing from Sicily last night, the peloton faced its first flat finish along the coast in Reggio Calabria.
Viviani looked ready to win once again. His team-mate Michael Morkov tried to sit on his rear wheel to block rivals, but Bennett rode it and powered clear at the right time. Viviani appeared to have lost that punch that carried him to two wins so far.
"Maybe I won't sleep, but I feel that I'm going to sleep like a baby tonight," Bennett continued.
"I just had to keep the faith that I could get my first Grand Tour win given the power that I was producing in the first few stages. I had to keep the faith in the in the stage, too, when I wasn't in position or when the others were starting early, just keeping confident that I could do it."
Bennett is used to persisting. He did so when his father tried to push him towards football and after a car hit him head-on in 2009. The Sean Kelly team gave him their faith while Bennett still dealt with issues from the incident.
NetApp-Endura signed him and launched his professional career, and Bennett remained loyal while the team grew and became Bora-Argon 18 and with the signing of Peter Sagan, Bora-Hansgrohe at the WorldTour level.
"I prefer the Giro, so it's perfect with Peter Sagan in the team. I was nervous when he came, but it actually gave me more opportunities. I've had space, and I've been happy with it," Bennett added.
"He gives our team a lot more presence in the peloton and a lot more respect, and also the people he brought with him like trainer and nutritionists. The whole team stepped up.
"What does this win do? Definitely, it'll just give the team confidence that the guy they are working for is capable. And also, when you get a little bit more respect in the peloton, it goes a long way. It helps in getting that position and in saving energy. It gives me and the team that respect here in the Giro."
Bennett will take a back seat over the weekend with two summit finishes scheduled, but will return with that hunger when the Giro speeds into its next town and next expected bunch sprint on Tuesday, stage 10 to Gualdo Tadino.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Ruben Guerreiro lines-up Saudi Tour GC victory with stage 4 win
Portuguese rider outsprinted rivals following steep climb to the finish on stage four
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
HED Emporia GC3 Performance gravel wheelset review - strong, robust and made in the USA
A solid, dependable set of hoops but - no surprise - they are more expensive than those made in the Far East
By Joe Baker • Published
-
After a 'frustrating' 2022, Sam Bennett targets green at the Tour de France again
Irish Bora-Hansgrohe sprinter laments missed opportunities in 2022 due to injuries and illness, but will try again next year
By Adam Becket • Published
-
‘Lesson one, never give up’: Ski mountaineer turned cyclist Anton Palzer on stepping out of his comfort zone
A film released by Red Bull depicts the German rider's journey from ski champion to professional rider
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Vuelta a España 2022: Sam Bennett makes it two in a row with win on stage three
Bora-Hansgrohe's Irish rider outsprints Mads Pedersen and Dan McLay in Breda, Edoardo Affini in red
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'Every time I got into the last 300 meters I had nothing left in the tank' — Sam Bennett says he's now back on track ahead of Tour de France
Irishman will head back to race for the first time since winning green in 2020
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'It still feels like a dream' — Jai Hindley reflects on historic Giro d'Italia victory
Jai Hindley reflects on a life-changing Giro win, what it means for his Bora-Hansgrohe team, and Australia as a whole
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'An incredible feeling' — Jai Hindley becomes the first Australian to win the Giro d'Italia
Western Australian also wins Bora-Hansgrohe's first Grand Tour
By Adam Becket • Published
-
De Jai vu? Hindley heads into Giro d’Italia finale seconds away from pink - just like in 2020
Bora-Hansgrohe's Australian is just three seconds from the lead
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Jai Hindley wants to be the first Australian to win the Giro d'Italia: 'I'm not here to put socks on a centipede'
Bora-Hansgrohe rider sits second on general classification, just seven seconds behind Richard Carapaz
By Adam Becket • Published