Daniele Bennati wins his first Tour de France stage(Image credit: Cyclingnews.com)
Bennati with team-mate Alessandro Ballan (r)(Image credit: Gregor Brown)
Daniele Bennati has had one of his most successful seasons in his six-year career by winning two stages in the Tour de France and three in the Vuelta a España. Next year the 27 year-old Italian from Arezzo will switch teams from Lampre-Fondital to Liquigas, but took the time to write a letter of gratitude to the co-workers who have supported him in the last three years on the ProTour team.
"'A warrior does not need to be reminded of the help given him by others; he is the first to remember and he makes sure to share with them any rewards he receives,'" quoted 'Benna' on his personal website. He took reference from Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho to express his feelings for Italian Team Lampre, where he has made his home since the beginning of 2005.
'Benna' continued in his own words, "I take care to underline the gratitude of all who have been near me and have believed in me, they gave their all to support the team and help obtain wins for our sponsor, Lampre. Under the care of Giuseppe Saronni, even though we were not always on the same wavelength, we achieved these successes with sensibleness and perseverance.
"Thanks to my team-mates. I want to say that every victory was not 'mine' but 'theirs,' because to win it is necessary to fight together to obtain the common goal. Thanks to all the staff that work behind the scenes quietly and with great dedication to their work; they have also helped create the wins. Last but not least, thanks to my fans who have supported me, inspired me and celebrated with me," he continued in his letter.
He battled through the Tour de France to pick up his first stage win in Castelsarrasin, and the confidence gave him what he needed to win one of the sprinters' most prized wins, the final stage on the Champs-Élysées. His good 2007 form was confirmed with three wins in the Vuelta – stages Vigo, Talavera de la Reina and Madrid – and the overall points competition.
"After three years and 25 wins, my adventure with Lampre ends. My skies will not be blue and fuchsia next year but blue and green; green with the hope that once again I will be able to write another beautiful page in the book of my carrier – and my life."
