Tour de France green jersey winner Sam Bennett joined Monday's OTB AM to discuss a whirlwind three weeks and to also reflect on his triumph.
The Carrick-on-Suir rider became the first Irish cyclist since Sean Kelly in 1989 to win the points classification and he did so in style by winning the final stage up the Champs Elysees.
Bennett thanked everybody in Ireland for their support but he also described how the pressure of expectation was a somewhat new experience for him.
"I got some incredible support from Irish fans and people back home but it was this pressure of expectation that was new to me," he said.
"The first few stages I was pretty close and I think things started gathering more momentum in Ireland.
"At one point that expectation was almost crippling, you nearly lose your legs but after a few stages I got used to it and I really started to enjoy it so I really want to thank everybody for their support back in Ireland."
As well as winning the final stage on the Champs Elysees, Bennett also won stage 10 of the Tour de France and his emotional reaction went viral.
You've won Sam....YOU'VE WON!!!! 🏆🏆🏆@Sammmy_Be is é tusa buaiteoir an staid inniu!!
CHAMP!!! Táimid fíor-bhródúil asat 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪@LeTour #TDF2020 @JOEdotie pic.twitter.com/RGqprOJlUP— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) September 8, 2020
"When the tears and everything came out, I think that was the pressure coming out," Bennett explained.
So what will be next for the 29-year-old Deceuninck–Quick-Step rider?
"It took me so long to get here so I really hope that I have enough time to stay on top and to get more wins," he said.
"I have a nice blend now of endurance, speed and power so there’s a bit of confidence there and I hope in the next two or three years that I can get some more good results."
Bennett though is just trying to enjoy winning the green jersey for the moment but he's not sure when he will be able to get home to celebrate.
"It’s just very hard to travel with Covid-19 now and the team want me to travel as little as possible to stay safe," he explained.
"We were very lucky to get a cycling season and to get through the whole Tour De France without problem so I really don’t know when I’ll be home next."
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