Sam Bennett has won the green jersey at the 2020 Tour de France, doing it in the best possible style.
The Waterford native entered today's race with the jersey all but guaranteed, but Bennett would go on to win the final stage in an incredible sprint finish. Look at the absolute joy on his face here.
Sam Bennett WINS the final stage of the Tour de France to clinch that green jersey ☘️
He's the first Irishman since Sean Kelly in 1989 to achieve the feat. What a man 🇮🇪pic.twitter.com/1P23N7ujyB— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 20, 2020
Incredible scenes.
Bennett is the first Irishman to claim the green jersey since Sean Kelly did it for a third time back in 1989, putting the scale of this achievement into perspective.
The 29-year old had a grip on the prize for most out the tour, with his lead getting bigger as they progressed through the stages. He is certainly a worthy winner, blowing away the competition.
Speaking after his win was confirmed, Bennett summed up just how special this moment was for him.
🏆Sam faoi agallamh i ndiaidh an bua 🏆
"I never thought I'd ever be able to win this Stage - and do do it in Green is so special" 💚
Sam shares his post-win thoughts! 🇮🇪#TDF2020 pic.twitter.com/6DpM7atafJ— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) September 20, 2020
I can't tell you how excited I am. Green jersey, the Champs-Élysées, the world championships of sprinting.
I never thought I'd ever be able to win this stage, and to do it in green is so special. To do it with my dream team Deceuninck–Quick-Step, the way the boys rode all day, they were fantastic.
It's just so amazing the feeling, I can't thank everyone enough...
All the suffering through the mountains is so worth it now. All the years trying to make it, it took me so long to get here. I'm sorry if I'm coming across as arrogant or anything, but I'm jut going to enjoy every moment of it...
I was a little bit nervous, because the last time I was in the Champs-Élysées I think somebody came down on the back straight and broke their collar bone.
I was really nervous about riding in the pack because it was really fast, it doesn't seem like it on TV but it's really fast downhill.
I thought I had one lap to go but they said on the radio that it was two laps, so I thought 'okay I have time to recover'...
I thought there was going to somebody coming passed me, but I can't believe I got it.
💚🏆CHAPEAU SAM 🏆💚
Bród an domhain orainn as an éacht spórt seo bainte amach ag @Sammmy_Be 🇮🇪
Amazing achievement for Sam Bennett - Final Stage of #TDF2020 and the Green Jersey! pic.twitter.com/5AIiuW9iOS— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) September 20, 2020
You love to see it. What an achievement!
See Also: Rob Kearney's Final Medal Haul With Ireland And Leinster Is Astonishing
