First impressions on US racing vs European racing

Bennett in his Trek Livestrong kit over his yellow jersey at the Trust House Tour ©RoadCycling.co.nz

Apr 6th, 11. George Bennett placed 6th in his first race in America last weekend. The U23 Kiwi shares his first impressions of American racing versus European racing.

For the last two seasons Bennett raced in France.  He won a couple of jerseys last year, but did not get the big victory he was after.

The about to turn 21 year old impressed in the U23 race at the UCI World Championships late last season, and he got the victory he had been hunting for when he won the Trust House Cycle Classic in New Zealand this January.

Bennett had been planning to head back to France, but the amateur team he signed for turned pro and the situation changed.

He was offered a contract, but it was not the right time, or team, to go pro with.  The staunch believer in the European cycling scene turned to America and the U23 Trek Livestrong amateur team instead.

After his first race with the team, RoadCycling.co.nz asked Bennett to share insights into the US vs European racing scenes, from his point of view.

US vs Europe - it's all a matter of trade-offs

by George Bennett

Being with Trek makes a huge difference, mostly to being happy. To be honest last year all I wanted to do was get back to NZ after about a week of being in France on a French team.

There wasn't much that was fun, but this year it's laughs and good times most of the way so I'm a lot happier, more relaxed and I think that goes a long way to riding better.

The team have been awesome in making sure we have the chances to go as fast as we can. They take a very scientific approach to nutrition (no stupid French myths and no white bread for breakfast before races). They are on the ball with recovery and have great staff to help. Everything is done, and basically you couldn't ask for more.

Between our race bikes, home bikes, spares and commuters, Trek has given us six bikes. The rest of the equipment makes a big difference too. I don't think the team could do any more to help us.

As for the racing, it's not Europe, but racing is as hard as you make it.

For the last stage of Redlands my power was as high as any race I've done, but the big difference was that in the big amateur  races in Europe there would still be 60 guys left and I would still only be hanging on, whereas here I was pretty active and off the front.

[Ed: Bennett was in the virtual yellow jersey in a solid break on the last stage of Redland's until his breakaway companion crashed, ruining any chance of staying away. He finished the tour 6th overall]

I think the top end of the racing here is still very good and super hard to win, but there at Redlands there were also 100 guys who work 9-5, five days a week, so the depth of racing isn't the same - but who expected it to be.

The crowds are bigger but there aren't as many big races. I've only done the one NRC race but I guess it's a pretty big one to go off. I can't speak for all races in the States but it's just like I imagined really.

Europe as amateurs is tougher, but I didn't win Redlands so there's no way I can complain about racing being too easy here.

Off the bikes, life is better. You sort of fit into society and make mates outside of riding, especially in a student town like Boulder, Colorado. There are little bonus things like celebreating my 21st and having Katchafire come to town.

All up, I can work a lot better as a team in America. I enjoy my time a lot more but I'm definitely fizzing to get over to Europe and race. I am really looking foward to doing it with Livestrong - I will be able to get the best of both worlds.

It's a very strange feeling being in America watching guys you know knock it up in Europe. It feels a bit like you're cheating because here you can have a normal conversation and you laugh a lot.

I guess it is a different path to try get to the same place eventually.  No matter where I am, making the pro tour one day is going to be a tall order, there will be plenty of time for Europe.

George

Happy 21st to George for tomorrow, 7th April!