LottoNL-Jumbo’s rider, George Bennett got the overall victory at Tour of California back on Saturday. He was able to cross the finish line safely, with confidence and feeling proud for getting his first victory in a World Tour cycling event!
Yewwww! What a team @LottoJumbo_road . Overwhelmed and humbled by all the messages of support, it took an army to get here! pic.twitter.com/t4hqn64O2Z
— George Bennett? (@georgenbennett) May 21, 2017
Bennett got through a 125 kilometer route into Pasadena and was able to maintain his 35 sec lead over Rafal Majka, the Olympic Games bronze medalist. After seven years in a professional cycling career, Bennett, 27, can now return with his head high back at his country home, New Zealand.
“Last night it was shock that I was in the jersey then it really quickly turned to focus for the next stage, and crossing the finish line was a pretty special feeling. There was a lot of relief,” said Bennett after the happiest moments of his cycling career. “It’s the big one. It’s a weight off the shoulders and hopefully I can build on it. I’m going to take a lot from the week, a lot of confidence. It’s very, very special.”
Stage 7 p/b @BreakawayCancer – Mountain High to Pasadena
Stage Win: Evan Huffman
Amgen Leader: George Bennett
Breakaway MCR: Evan Huffman pic.twitter.com/HEvx6mw9YM— AMGENTOC (@AmgenTOC) May 21, 2017
How it happened?
His first amazing performance in Tour of California was conceived up on the second stage in the mountains where he and Majka were the only cyclists who were able to win a distance over the six hard climbs on the almost 145 km stage. Unfortunately, Majka overpassed him with just a few seconds ahead. On stage five’s climb up Mt Baldy, he was third. Bennett admitted that result hurt him a lot.
Bennett, before returning back to the Tour of California to give his best and get the the overall victory, had a long break preparing himself both mentally and physically to return even stronger. Especially after his last debut at the Vuelta e Espana back in 2016 where he finished in the 10th place.
It seems this break has paid off his efforts giving him a strong boost of confidence. He admitted that the offseason period he took was ideal for making him focus more and prepare. He added that the hard and lonely work has finally given its benefits.
Bennett’s time trial on the penultimate stage of California’s Tour was the one to catapult him into first place on the general classification. He was able to finish fourth and build up a 41 seconds lead over Majka.
.@evanhuffman wins stage 7 in Pasadena presented by @BreakawayCancer pic.twitter.com/W1DYgYFr7o
— AMGENTOC (@AmgenTOC) May 20, 2017
