George Bennett is Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s main man for the overall in next week’s Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco. The New Zealander wonders what he can pull off in the autonomous Spanish region after knee problems forced him to abandon the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya.
 
“There’s still some irritation, but my knee is OK,” Bennett said.
 
“Since Catalunya, I passed many days trying to heal my knee, but I’m back on the bike doing easy rides. My general condition is completely unknown to me. For sure, I will know a lot more after the first days. If I don’t lose too much time there, I can be strong enough by the decisive stages.”
 
The 24-year-old from New Zealand is ready to fight.
 
“It’s always a special opportunity to lead a team, and I’ll fight as much as I can for the boys,” he added.
 
“I’ve done the training. Let’s see how much the injury has set me back.”
 
Frans Maassen
Sports Directors Erik Dekker and Frans Maassen head to the Basque Country with a number of riders that struggled with their condition over the past few weeks.
“We will find out how good we are during the week. Of course, we want to achieve results, but for some, it’s going to be too difficult.”
 
Team line-up:
George Bennett, Brian Bulgac, Martijn Keizer, Bert-Jan Lindeman, Nick van der Lijke, Timo Roosen, Mike Teunissen & Kevin de Weert.
 
Sports Directors:
Erik Dekker & Frans Maassen.