Kiwi rider signs new contract with team
Nelson cyclist George Bennett is coming off a rain-soaked stage of the Tour de France but at least he’s got a contract extension to celebrate.
The 26-year-old Tour de France debutant, who battled through the 146km penultimate stage in 4hr 26min 42sec yesterday, has signed on with Dutch Lottonl-jumbo until the end of 2018.
He’s been with the team since last year and announced his contract extension after finishing 19min 57sec behind stage winner Jon Izaguirre, from Spain.
‘‘It is good news that I can stay with Team Lottonl-jumbo,’’ he said in a statement. ‘‘I’ve been riding for this team and I get all the support of the team, not only mentally but also in terms of equipment, training and nutrition.
"I feel at home among the other boys and that is equally important. The team looks not only at how fast you can ride, but also who you are as a person.’’
Chris Froome leads the tour by a touch over four minutes with a stage to race and is set to become the first Briton to win the gruelling 21-stage race three times.
Bennett, who has clocked up 88hr 39min 45sec on his bike over 3416km, is 2hr 18min 5sec back in 53rd place, and struggled to find his legs in the 20th stage.
But he’s put in some good stage performances during the tour and deserved his contract extension, Dutch Lottonl-jumbo technical director Nico Verhoeven said.
‘‘He confirmed his good form being the the breakaways in the tour,’’ he said.
The Tour de France ends today.