In the era in which the sprinter was a sprinter, the classics rider thought about the classics and the time trialist was always in position, there was a professional in Italy who as a junior and U23 was very strong in the time trial, who dreamed of winning the classics. and who even won the Paris stage of the Tour de France in a sprint. When laughing Let's tell Daniele Bennati that in his own way he was a precursor of Wout Van Aert and among today's phenomena, the Tuscan is leading and probably skidding. Yet, beyond the objective value of the athletes, the difference between those of yesterday and those of today is that no convention is recognizedThe sprinter does time trials, wins classics and if he finds himself in front of the Ventoux, rolls up his sleeves and eats it. The climber does the same and in the middle wins the mountain bike Olympics.
Like Van Aert this year, Bennati also won the Paris stage of the Tour in 2007. 
The day before his victory in Paris, the Belgian won the time trial
Like Van Aert this year, Bennati also won the Paris stage of the Tour in 2007. 
Tour de France 2021, Paris, Wout Van Aert
Modern riders
Those three in particular They are not afraid of anything or anyone and have continued throughout the season crossing paths and exchanging… kindnesses of all kindsToday, we're talking about them with Benna, because the anomaly has common traits. They're versatile, all-round winners, ambitious, and bold. I'm probably the one who Jumbo-Visma's Robbert De Groot called them "modern riders", with the characteristics and character to always make the difference.
"As a professional," Bennati says, "I never specialized in time trials, except for doing well in a few team time trials. I didn't do cross-country or even running, like I saw Van Aert do on Instagram. But thanks to them, the races have become explosive and fun to watch. It's been a while since we've seen such versatile people.When I was running, there was extreme specialization, maybe it was like that even before…».
City eye
The topic is hot. For his ability to analyze ridersBennati would deserve the role of national team coach, but it's clear that whoever is given the job of succeeding Cassani (assuming Davide is replaced) risks a rather quick backlash. And are we sure that the role of the Azzurri coach in Italy will remain as we've always known it?
Let's start with Van Aert, what do you think?
He's fast enough to win bunch sprints. But he often makes mistakes. It always starts very long and risks being overtaken, it happens when you feel like you're the strongestI'm happy for Carapaz, but At the Olympics the strongest was Van Aert. Who, in addition to doing well in sprints, wins time trials.
What about Van der Poel?
It's much more explosive, but it has less depth. And then he commits some carelessnessI don't know who to blame, but the platform in Tokyo was too big. He immediately said it should have been there, but everyone knew it would be removed.
It is said that of the two, Van der Poel is the more talented one.
It will be, but Van Aert is the one who last year, on his return, won Sanremo and Strade Bianche and in the direct confrontation he lost the Flanders but only in the sprint. Apart from the mistakes of starting long in the sprints, in my opinion Van Aert runs better.
Do you think he will end up in the world of Grand Tours?
If he does, I think he's making a mistake. He can't compete with climbers on the climbs, but in this cycling world, you never know. In my opinion, an attempt will do.
Van der Poel wins by giving his all, he is capable of going out of his way with common Van Aert won the Ghent (pictured) and repeated the feat at the Amstel
Van der Poel wins by giving his all, he is capable of going out of his way with common Van Aert won the Ghent (pictured) and repeated the feat at the Amstel
It seems like everything comes easy to him.
They are young, they are undoubtedly phenomena, but with all the specialties they do, they continually scrape the limit of energyDo you see Van der Poel at the arrivals, always destroyed? He arrives dead, he manages to give his all and you can see that the cross gives him the opportunity to make these out-of-control runs. More than the others. I really like Van der Poel, but sometimes I don't understand him. He could win with much less, but instead he starts with 60 kilometers to go...
At the Tour he was lucid…
True, with Van Aert on the other hand starting a bit quietly. It's understandable, he was in France to help Roglic, but Winning the time trial on Saturday and the sprint in Paris the next day is a lot.They're changing cycling...
In what sense?
Van Aert wins the sprint in Paris, while Pogacar, who has won two Tours, almost beats him in the sprint at the Olympics. They can do everything at the highest level, they are great.
And how do we fit Pidcock into the mosaic?
He's just passed by, so it's hard to judge him on the road. Of course, someone who wins the U23 Giro and the following year does what the Englishman did isn't that common. He won the Brabant Arrow, beating Van Aert who started too farAnd for the same reason, he was on the verge of winning the Amstel. On the road, it remains to be seen; he's often been beaten in cross-country racing, but he's also a few years younger and is among those who can compete. One of the phenomenal ones, in short. It's really great cycling, it's hard to go to the World Championships and compete with people like that.It really lasts…
