Sam Bennett - no same day spoilers

Beasty · 15-10-2013 2:20pm #1

Signs for NetApp Endura

Delighted to see him get himself sorted after his storming finish to the season (as well as earlier in the season with his performances in the Ras)

gordongekko · 15-10-2013 2:22pm

Beasty wrote: »

Signs for NetApp Endura

Delighted to see him get himself sorted after his storming finish to the season (as well as earlier in the season with his performances in the Ras)

delighted for him. We could be entering a new golden era for Irish cycling.

Paddigol · 15-10-2013 2:31pm

Exciting times ahead hopefully!

RobFowl · 15-10-2013 2:40pm

Delighted for him, good team and should get chances to shine.

ZiabR · 15-10-2013 3:13pm

Great news for him, we have a few good riders on the main scene now. Great for the sport.

happytramp · 15-10-2013 3:17pm

This is a good team for him. A team with a good focus on the classics/semi-classics but also a firm fixture at the shorter stage races. He's good on the hills too so hopefully plenty of opportunity to shine in reduced bunch sprints.

slow · 16-10-2013 12:01pm

Sam's inclusion on the team will certainly strengthen NetApp Endura's claim for a wild card entry in the Giro. Leo Koenig won a stage in the Vuelta, so they are now competitive at the highest level. And Sam has a good record on stage finishes in North Dublin...

happytramp · 16-10-2013 1:07pm

slow wrote: »

Sam's inclusion on the team will certainly strengthen NetApp Endura's claim for a wild card entry in the Giro.

Was sort of hoping for that too but it being the Giro they'll probably just take Italian Pro-Continental teams. (although Netapp they were there in 2012, so fingers crossed)

Darkglasses · 16-10-2013 1:28pm

happytramp wrote: »

Was sort of hoping for that too but it being the Giro they'll probably just take Italian Pro-Continental teams. (although Netapp they were there in 2012, so fingers crossed)

They've room for 4 Pro-Conti teams, so they can take the three Italians plus Net-App. Or they can drop Vini Fantini (possibility due to Santambrogio and Di Luca's doping last year), and take both Colombia/Iam cycling and Netapp.

dave_o_brien · 16-10-2013 1:35pm

Darkglasses wrote: »

They've room for 4 Pro-Conti teams, so they can take the three Italians plus Net-App. Or they can drop Vini Fantini (possibility due to Santambrogio and Di Luca's doping last year), and take both Colombia/Iam cycling and Netapp.

United Healthcare? In my opinion, it's only fair for them to invite UHC, Net-APP, Sean Kelly-Chain Reaction and Cofidis (on the condition that they sign Lavery).

Beasty · 16-10-2013 2:07pm

dave_o_brien wrote: »

United Healthcare? In my opinion, it's only fair for them to invite UHC, Net-APP, Sean Kelly-Chain Reaction and Cofidis (on the condition that they sign Lavery).

I suspect SK Chain Reaction may have a little difficulty filling that roster as well as one for the Ras which will presumably be held when the Giro in on;)

Good interview with Sam by Shane Stokes on Velonation

dave_o_brien · 16-10-2013 2:16pm

Beasty wrote: »

I suspect SK Chain Reaction may have a little difficulty filling that roster as well as one for the Ras which will presumably be held when the Giro in on;)

I've an idea: combine the Giro with the Ras.

You're welcome, world.

dave2pvd · 16-10-2013 3:23pm

slow wrote: »

Sam's inclusion on the team will certainly strengthen NetApp Endura's claim for a wild card entry in the Giro.

I wonder how much difference this makes.

I suspect the notion of having an Irish rider on a team strengthening their case for inclusion is not the case. Unless selection of said team results in a financial upside for the organizers.

happytramp · 29-01-2014 10:28am

Great news for NetApp getting their first invite to the Tour and the Criterium De Dauphine. Possible appearance for Sam? We'll get to see him in Qatar and Oman next month anyway.

Chips Lovell · 29-01-2014 10:35am

Net-App Endura have a nice collection of wildcards now for 2014:

Milan - San Remo
Tirreno - Adriatico
Giro di Lombardia
Critérium du Dauphiné
Tour de France

Some great opportunities there for Bennett if he has a good year. Doing even one of these races would be a big step up.

dastardly00 · 29-01-2014 1:56pm

Fantastic opportunities for Bennett!

Darkglasses · 02-03-2014 6:26pm

Clasica Almeria Spoilers

Sam's got his first win of the year

held off the likes of Valverde, JJ Rojas, Lobato and Jerome Coppel at the finish

Classification - http://www.procyclingstats.com/race/Clasica_de_Almeria_2014

Photos -

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bhu5gwpIUAAkzCQ.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bhu_WTzIUAA8vKM.jpg

Darkglasses · 02-03-2014 10:39pm

Video - http://www.irishcyclingphotos.com/?p=23726

Darkglasses · 02-03-2014 11:06pm

http://youtu.be/XvAyMeI0ePg?t=17m18s

Last few 100 metres

TheBlaaMan · 21-04-2014 4:58pm

Sam has gone and done it again.... he's just won Rund Um Koln in Germany beating the likes of Ciolek in a photo-finish.
I bet NetApp are hoping that their contract with him is watertight for 2015.......he is sure to be getting a lot of interest from other/bigger teams.

MPFG · 21-04-2014 6:15pm

I hope he stay with NetApp for a while....better than going to a big team and having to work for someone else or be a lead out man

Plenty time for him to hit the big time when he is good a ready

godtabh · 21-04-2014 6:32pm

TheBlaaMan wrote: »

Sam has gone and done it again.... he's just won Rund Um Koln in Germany beating the likes of Ciolek in a photo-finish.
I bet NetApp are hoping that their contract with him is watertight for 2015.......he is sure to be getting a lot of interest from other/bigger teams.

Just saw a reply of the finish and what a finish. It looked like he had no support except a team mate who popped his head up way back in the group. Bennett did fantastic make.up.those few metres to win by a wisker

Dr. Bre · 21-04-2014 6:37pm

great result !

Beasty · 21-04-2014 6:42pm

Looked at the team yesterday and saw they were trying out a couple of young German sprinters, so although the team may have been supporting Bennett it was not at its strongest in terms of lead-out men

Some initial comment from him here

And with German commentry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyaTeh5eK9o

TheBlaaMan · 21-04-2014 6:47pm

MPFG · 21-04-2014 7:59pm

Its a pity he is not riding the Giro......could have seen an Irish stage winner on Irish soil...now that would have been good

wirelessdude01 · 21-04-2014 8:08pm

Beasty wrote: »

Looked at the team yesterday and saw they were trying out a couple of young German sprinters, so although the team may have been supporting Bennett it was not at its strongest in terms of lead-out men

Some initial comment from him here

And with German commentry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyaTeh5eK9o

See the Belkin lad in the background going mad as the leadout was too early. Some effort by Sam though seeing as he was totally on his own.

Glass Prison 1214 · 21-04-2014 10:33pm

A great win for Sam. He really is having an excellent year so far.

Dr. Bre · 18-05-2014 8:45pm

Sam was 2nd in the Pro race of Berlin today

Max_Charger · 22-05-2014 3:37pm

Sam makes the teams long list for the Tour de France. 14 on the list, 9 will make it.

happytramp · 22-05-2014 4:42pm

Max_Charger wrote: »

Sam makes the teams long list for the Tour de France. 14 on the list, 9 will make it.

Based on performance this season he'd be very close to the top of that list. But they're probably reluctant to throw a very talented neo pro into that circus to soon.

dastardly00 · 22-05-2014 4:47pm

Max_Charger wrote: »

Sam makes the teams long list for the Tour de France. 14 on the list, 9 will make it.

From reading the statement, if Leopold König is fit, then there might not be room for a sprinter (Sam) in the final squad. But Sam does have the team's two victories this season to his name so he definitely deserves to go to the TdF.

Sam is riding in the World Ports Classic at the weekend, and then the Bayern Rundfahrt the week after.

Bikerbhoy · 23-05-2014 10:14am

dastardly00 wrote: »

From reading the statement, if Leopold König is fit, then there might not be room for a sprinter (Sam) in the final squad. But Sam does have the team's two victories this season to his name so he definitely deserves to go to the TdF.

No doubting Sams success so far this season but there is a difference between what he deserves and what he is ready for.....as much as Id love to see him at this years tour Im not sure it would be the best decision for him this year .... however in saying that it is Sam we are talking about here. . . exciting times......

gordongekko · 23-05-2014 10:16am

Bikerbhoy wrote: »

No doubting Sams success so far this season but there is a difference between what he deserves and what he is ready for.....as much as Id love to see him at this years tour Im not sure it would be the best decision for him this year .... however in saying that it is Sam we are talking about here. . . exciting times......

If he's good enough he's old enough. And it sure looks like he's good enough

Bikerbhoy · 23-05-2014 11:29pm

gordongekko wrote: »

If he's good enough he's old enough. And it sure looks like he's good enough

Realistically there is a little bit more to it than that . . .

connachta · 23-05-2014 11:51pm

Come on! Machado is the only one who could help Koenig into climbing! what about the 7 others? How many riders escaped finishes stages in front during the Tour? 4 or 5! Chance for Net-App to be top 10, just 1 time?? 5/10 % Whereas with Sam, even if he quits after the 1st week, it's 3 or 4 top 10 guaranted!

MPFG · 23-05-2014 11:58pm

I imagine Net App want Koenig to win a stage if not 2 ....he has a great finish esp on the medium mountains and thus will need support ...If they bring Sam he will have no train and will have to do it himself...I hope they take him as the experience will be invaluable ...so he can maybe in a few years win stages

Beasty · 24-05-2014 12:00am

First season racing at this level - so far he has done incredibly well, but to now go into a 3 week Grand Tour would be a hell of a leap. I personally think he would be better off sitting this out/being left out this year. He's done particularly well in some one day races this year and there will be plenty of opportunity to develop his ability to compete at Grand Tour level over the next year or two. However goung into the Tour now and dropping out after a week or so may do more damage than good and potentially limit furture opportunities at that level.

gordongekko · 24-05-2014 8:25am

But if it's part of the plan for him to do maybe 10 days and he only does 8 days it's hardly going to effect his development.

connachta · 24-05-2014 10:20am

gordongekko wrote: »

But if it's part of the plan for him to do maybe 10 days and he only does 8 days it's hardly going to effect his development.

Exacly, and psychologicaly it's far better for him to finish top 10 behind Caven, Kittel etc, than 2nd or 3rd on secondary rides

To compare: Cavendish 1st Tour de France at 22, he fell, he also quit the next one after 15 days to avoid mountain. Is he "damaged" or the best in the word?

gordongekko · 24-05-2014 11:06am

connachta wrote: »

Exacly, and psychologicaly it's far better for him to finish top 10 behind Caven, Kittel etc, than 2nd or 3rd on secondary rides

To compare: Cavendish 1st Tour de France at 22, he fell, he also quit the next one after 15 days to avoid mountain. Is he "damaged" or the best in the word?

He's only top 3 :-) kittel is better and sagan has more style :-)

connachta · 24-05-2014 11:33am

Agree, but don't broke my rhetorical effect! ^^

MPFG · 24-05-2014 11:43am

gordongekko wrote: »

If he's good enough he's old enough. And it sure looks like he's good enough

I agree totally ...

Bennett is 24 this year ...how much older does he need to be start at this level

Boy Van Poppel rode his first Grand Tour last year at 19 ....and left after 10 days I think

What age was Kittle , Bouhanni, Cav , Petacchi etc when they rode there first Grand Tour

How many 24 year olds (or younger) are riding the Giro at present ...and how many very high on GC ...quite a few

If he wants to be up there wining at 27 then he needs to start now

Its not like he needs to do the last difficult week

connachta · 24-05-2014 12:15pm

For everyone interested in Sam, World ports classic today with Griepel!

circler · 24-05-2014 6:29pm

I see he finished 23rd. Any reports online yet?

MPFG · 24-05-2014 6:31pm

circler wrote: »

I see he finished 23rd. Any reports online yet?

Haven't seen any reports just a tweet from sam sayign he messed up in some corner or other

connachta · 25-05-2014 2:57pm

Benett fifth today, good sprint for him

gordongekko · 28-05-2014 8:20pm

4th today in Bayern Rundfahrt opener

gordongekko · 29-05-2014 12:33pm

gordongekko wrote: »

4th today in Bayern Rundfahrt opener

Short highlights

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VgOoPbDS88o

circler · 29-05-2014 12:39pm

Jensie's Diary is up too. (Still can't post links so apols): youtube.com/watch?v=ioBl5_OrRsY

dastardly00 · 30-05-2014 8:54am

Another great ride by Sam in Stage 2 of Bayern Rundfahrt.

Yes he did come 2nd last (127th) ... but it was a summit finish.
Impressively, he won the first two intermediate sprints (and he managed a second place in a KOM). He now lies in second place in the sprint classification.

Stage 3 today is relatively flat with a couple of small uncategorised bumps at the end. I don't think it's tough enough to drop the sprinters, but I could be wrong.

Sam Bennett - no same day spoilers

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