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.”
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Been tough to get a look in with the guys he has ahead of him!
One of the most hard done by players in Irish rugby after John Cooney. Some players face clearly doesn’t fit, while others get chance after chance playing average!
@Darren Mullins: or…..there are just better players in his position. Which one of the current Lions centres who play 12 for Ireland have had “chance after chance” keeping McC out of the team?
@Darren Mullins: Dunno, got done by Scannel last time they played. Don’t think he has it for top flight, and what was Cooney doing for the previous 7 years when no one knew his name? Certainly a heap of other Ulster players with great potential in front of them.
@Ricky Wright: aki and henshaw both play 12 for club and country. They are both just better than McCloskey. He done something to piss Joe S off and with farrell as assistant whatever it was had an effect on him also.