Sam Bennett has raced his way onto the winner's podium early in 2021 with victory in the fourth stage of the UAE Tour today.
Bennett, 30, claimed the Tour de France's green jersey last year, winning two stages along the way.
The Carrick-On-Suir man later won a stage of the Vuelta in a career-best year but admitted he was driven to remain at the top of his profession this year.
After a quiet start to the UAE Tour - he finished the mountainous third stage more than 16 minutes down on winner Tadej Pogacar - today's 204 km stage resulted in a bunch sprint as expected.
And there was never a doubt about Bennett's triumph against his main sprint rivals as he picked up his first win, and first points, of the race.
“It's really good to have won because I had to wait a few days to get the opportunity,” Bennett said.
“I was really nervous before the sprint. It was my first bunch sprint of the season. Fortunately, I only had to follow the guys. They did a fantastic job, each one of them. It's great to finish it off.
"This is my 50th pro win, it's really nice to get that first win of the season. I could see they were going to the right and the right was the shortest line, but I couldn't risk going up and having to hit the brakes, so I had to go the longest way around. Fortunately, I could carry enough speed.”
