Bennett prefers not to occupy Dumoulin’s vacant spot in Tour de France

George Bennett does not want to start the Tour de France in 2021. The New Zealander from Jumbo-Visma wants to score at the Olympic Games, and a participation in the Tour does not fit in that vein. “It would be a minor disaster for my Olympic plans if I was called up for the Tour, so to be honest I’d rather not.”

The Kiwi was recruited last year as a replacement for Laurens De Plus, but he prefers not to fill Tom Dumoulin’s vacant position in 2021. “ I hope it doesn’t happen again and I don’t think it will. will produce, ” he told New Zealand media Things. “In any case, it was not discussed internally, I think they will let me run my original program.” Bennett normally goes to the Giro as a leader. “If it still happens that I am called for the Tour, I will not complain. I am conforming to my role, but I am not currently assuming that I will go to the Tour.

Bennett is looking forward to the Tokyo Olympics, which he ‘once in a lifetimeprobability call because of the mountainous trail. “I want to be ready for this, so I don’t even think about my schedule. I love the Tour de France, it’s my favorite race. But not in an Olympic year ”, declared the number two of the last Tour of Lombardy.

Bennett wants to be a Tour leader from 2022

The New Zealander has an expiring contract with Jumbo-Visma, but doesn’t want to get too far ahead of things just yet. He is determined to show in 2021 that he deserves a leadership role in the Tour de France and other major competitions from 2022. Whether with Jumbo-Visma or another team, he leaves the field open. “I’m very happy at Jumbo-Visma, but I don’t want to look at my options before the Giro d’Italia. As the Giro approaches, Bennett will in any case still drive Paris-Nice and the Tour de Catalogne.

He was also asked for his opinion on the (temporary) stop in Dumoulin. “I didn’t see it coming, although I know him pretty well. In the Netherlands there is a lot of pressure, I think I’m lucky that in New Zealand this is not the case with cycling. I think Tom has taken a good step and can see for himself how to distance himself from any pressure.