Bennett, 24, goes into the race a top chance to win the inauguaral Myer Bendigo Classic road series.

A star in the water for many years, Bennett has done so on the road in his first year with the Bendigo and District Cycling Club.

His consistency in the series is shown by being so high in the rankings, without having won a race.

“My best result so far was third in the Bendigo to Rochester,’’ Bennett said yesterday before another training ride.

It’s been a remarkable rise since he began the season off the limit mark, to now be racing off second scratch in club races most weekends.

“I am really looking forwad to the Eaglehawk to Pyramid Hill.’’Despite the notorious winds on the trek, Bennett is not daunted.

“Strong winds will slow the leading bunches down a bit, and make it a little easier to catch them.

“I wouldn’t mind if it rained, either.’’Bennett became a lot more serious about road cycling through coaching a triathlon squad at Carey Aquatic.

A qualified personal trainer, Bennett also did some corporate rides with clients.

Despite breaking a collarbone on a ride on Melbourne Cup day last year, Bennett was keen to pursue cycling.

“I had moved back to Bendigo and thought about having a go at a race.’’Since then he has gained a lot of support, most notably from Phil Sawyer, a Bendigo International Madison winner and The Advertiser-Southern Cross TEN Sports Star of the Year award.

“Ash Harding and the team at Harding Cycles have helped me a lot as well,’’ Bennett said of racing and training tips.

In his teens, Bennett was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, but he not let that slow him down in pursuit of his sporting goals.

“The most important thing is that I am really emjoying the sport.

“Every race is a challenge.’’By Sunday afternoon, Bennett may well be celebrating being the first Myer Bendigo Classics champion.

Sunday’s race will start at 9am near the Sailors Gully Road milk bar.