Sam Bennett: step by step toward the Giro d’Italia
As the Giro gets underway, Sam Bennett reflects on physical prep, mental tactics, and why gear like Nimbl shoes makes the small differences count.
Published: May 9, 2025
With just a few days until the start of the Giro d’Italia, Sam Bennett is in the final phase of preparation. The heavy training is done — what remains is to sharpen, recover, and prepare mentally for the rigors of a three-week Grand Tour. “You try to freshen up because you know what’s coming — three weeks of racing,” he says. “The work has to be done already. Now it’s about arriving in the best place possible to start.”
Sprint speed meets Grand Tour survival.
Unlike one-day races where sprinters can go all out without thinking about tomorrow, the Giro demands a balance of speed and endurance. “In other races, it’s about being fast, and you don’t care if you’re tired. But here, if you go too deep, you might not make it to the next day.”
Surviving the mountain stages, managing fatigue, and knowing when to conserve are just as critical as timing a perfect sprint.
Back to winning ways.
Bennett enters the Giro with a straightforward goal — a stage win. His last victory came in 2022, and getting back to the top step would be more than a result; it would be a personal statement. “It’s very important to come back and know that I have the ability to do it,” he confirms. “That would be a strong message to myself more than anything.”
The points classification isn’t a top priority, with top sprinters like Elia Viviani targeting it full-on. For Bennett, that allows him to stay focused on picking the right opportunities to strike.
A quiet battle for sprinters
For every sprinter, the high mountains are the hardest test — not just physically, but mentally. It’s not about winning; it’s about getting through and having enough left in the tank to survive the next day. “There are times when you just have to survive,” he noticed. “You learn not to panic, even when you can’t see the top of the mountain. Just go step by step.”
He remembers particularly tough moments, including finishing a Tour de France stage with a broken bone in his hand — moments that leave a lasting impression and shape your perspective as a rider.
“But I wanted to finish a GT for the first time at all costs. And I did.”
Racing in blocks, not weeks.
One of Bennett’s biggest lessons from years in the peloton is the value of dividing the race into segments. Mentally digesting the Giro in blocks — opening weekend, flat phases, mountain stages, rest days — helps him stay focused without being overwhelmed.
“You don’t look at the whole thing. You take it in blocks. That way, you stay focused and keep things simple in your head.”
It’s a mindset that keeps him clear-headed and emotionally balanced. Evenings are reserved for rest and a quick video call home — the simplest rituals often being the most grounding.
The right team.
Modern sprinting is more tactical and more physical than ever. Having a committed team to support you — especially one that can control the race or keep you in position — is critical.
“You just have to be consistent and be there,” he explains. “If your team believes in you and you show you can win, the opportunities will come.”
Where performance meets precision.
It's been almost two years since Bennett switched to Nimbl — and it’s a move he’s glad he made. For a sprinter, power is everything, and Nimbl's lightweight, stiff construction delivers just that.
“You get the lightness you want, but without compromising on stiffness,” he says. “That’s really important for a sprinter. The power transfer is there.”
He also notes the exceptional comfort — essential when riding for hours every day — and they have somehow solved a long-standing shoe comfort challenge.
“I’ve never had a truly perfect shoe before. But with Nimbl, after breaking them in, they still kept all the performance. I really trust them now.”
Ready to prove it.
Heading into the Giro d’Italia, Bennett is grounded, focused, and quietly determined. After some tough seasons and setbacks, he’s ready to show that he still has what it takes to win on one of cycling’s biggest stages.
“I’ve had a lot of hard times. Now it’s time to prove I’m still capable,” he says. “I want to win a stage at a big race like the Giro. That’s what keeps me going.”
Sam Bennett’s favourite Nimbl shoes are the Ultimate Exceed Pro Edition.
