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Tour de France hero Sam Bennett will not defend the Irish National Road Cycling Championship title that he won last year.
Tipp’s man took glory in June 2019, denying Eddie Dunbar in a thrilling finale in Derry. It was the first time Bennett had won the title.
However, he will not be on the starting line in Limerick for this year’s edition. The action will get underway behind closed doors with the individual time trial for all categories, including para-cycling, on Thursday.
The senior, under-23 and junior men’s road race takes place on Saturday, followed by the senior, master and junior women’s race on Sunday.
“Unfortunately, I will not be able to defend my title this year at the Irish National Championship due to the goals scored by me and my team for the remainder of the season,” Bennett posted on Instagram.
“I’m also trying to limit the health risks of traveling. My dream was to wear this jersey to some of the biggest bike races in the world.
“I always tried my best to represent him the best I could. After 25 podiums, 11 of which were victories (2 Tour de France, 2 Vuelta a España), 3 points qualifying jerseys, including the green Tour de France, my last race as Irish National Champion was a victory on the green-clad Champs Elysees.
“A perfect ending to my time as Irish National Champion.”
Bennett won on the Champs Elysees ten days ago after securing the green jersey at the final stage of the Tour de France in Paris.
It made him the first Irishman to win a main jersey on one of the three Grand Tours since Sean Kelly won the green on the Tour for the fourth and final time in 1989.
See the highlights of the Irish National Road Cycling Championships on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player East Monday October 5 from 7pm
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