IRELAND’S SAM BENNETT was holding back the tears after claiming victory in Stage 10 of the Tour de France today.
The 29-year-old from Carrick-on-Suir edged out Caleb Ewan at the finish line to record an incredible win in Île de Ré and regain the green jersey.
Speaking directly after the race, Bennett gave an emotional interview in which he thanked those who have supported him throughout his career.
“I don’t think it’s hit me because I forgot to throw the bike at the line in the moment and I thought he [Ewan] might have caught me,” he said.
“I thought that I’d be in floods of tears but I’m in shock.
“I just want to thank everyone that has been involved — the whole team, Patrick [Lefevere -- Deceuninck-QuickStep boss] for giving me the opportunity and everybody it took to get to here,” he added, as his eyes began to well up.
You've won Sam....YOU'VE WON!!!! 🏆🏆🏆@Sammmy_Be is é tusa buaiteoir an staid inniu!!
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) September 8, 2020
CHAMP!!! Táimid fíor-bhródúil asat 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪@LeTour #TDF2020 @JOEdotie pic.twitter.com/RGqprOJlUP
“I want to thank my wife and everyone around me. Sorry… You dream of it and you never think it will happen. Now it has and it took me a while to hit me.”
On the dramatic sprint finish, Bennett believed he may have missed his chance.
“I was waiting to go and thought I had waited too late,” he said. “Then I went, I thought maybe I was in too big a gear… I don’t know. Sorry, I don’t mean to be a cry baby.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Cooper behaving like a soccer player,what a rat,not a sending off
It was a booking, and as he was already booked, two yellows make a red!
it was a straight red,plus being pulled by the shirt would not make you roll over the floor for over 2 minutes
For clarification, it was a second yellow for the sending off and was a definite yellow.
I think you’ll find it was a second yellow. And he stayed down for treatment on his ankle, or were you watching a different game?!
Game was well up anyhow,castlehaven were poor,different story if they meet crossmaglen in the final!!!
Colm Cooper is the Messi of GAA. The most talented player to ever play the game and all the other players can do is foul him as they can’t stop him otherwise. And I am a Cork woman so even I can see he is a genius.
Well said Sandra!
The tackle in question http://www.balls.ie/gaa/gif-castlehaven-player-gets-the-line-after-unsubtle-challenge-on-colm-cooper/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gif-castlehaven-player-gets-the-line-after-unsubtle-challenge-on-colm-cooper&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter#sthash.FflGxaah.dpbs
A battle to resonate through the ages …..
fame! found ourselves in the photo. go on The Crokes
watching two unbelievable teams play fast open football today, if crokes meet crossmaglen it will be some game, ok you have bridgets whom are no bad team either im not forgeting portlaois v ballymun.all good games to look forward thanks to tg4.
Just back from Cork watching match Crokes were Fantastic can’t say one player but the Crokes team a a very talented bunch.
Fair play to Sandra -A true sportswoman who recognises a football genius
Am I sensing some sarcasm there Neil!