Saint-Martin-de-Ré (France) (AFP)
Irish sprinter Sam Bennett, winner of his first stage on the Tour de France on Tuesday in Saint-Martin-de-Ré, is "proud to represent" Eire "in the" most beautiful race in the world ", delivered the Deceuninck paver at a press conference.
“I got such support from Ireland and especially from my hometown where there are a lot of flags and banners. To be here with the national champion's jersey in the biggest race in the world is exceptional. ", poured out Sam Bennett, moved to tears, who was chasing his first victory since the start of the Tour.
The sprinter is from the same town as Sean Kelly: Carrick on Suir, just under 6,000 inhabitants, in the south of the island.
"I don't think it's a coincidence," said Sam Bennett, again in the green jersey, which Sean Kelly is the last Irishman to win.
"There is a great culture of cycling, he developed. It interests young people and they are supported to succeed. It is a good environment to break through. Like the Isle of Man which is very small and has produces so many great cyclists ".
His voice choked with emotion, the sprinter could not hold back tears: "We dream of it, it does not happen. And we end up succeeding," he said, released after three places among the first four since the start of the Tour.
"Everything seemed to be going too well to me. I did not believe it, once the line crossed. Then I was overwhelmed by the emotion, he described. We waited so many years for this. to have a winning sprint on the Tour. It is such a relief. So many great sprinters have been on this team. "
Back at the top of the points classification after this stage success, he felt that it would be "difficult" for him to beat Peter Sagan who "is the best in this role" and has already won it seven times.
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