The LottoNL-Jumbo rider was preparing for the Giro d’Italia’s stage 16 time trial, which takes place near the first stage of the Tour of the Alps when a car turned into his path.
“I was going pretty fast on the time trial doing a recon for the Giro,” Bennett told Cyclingnews.com.
“A car was coming the other way. It didn’t see us, and it turned left across the road and I went straight into the side of him and I went over.
“I was really lucky with how it happened. I’m lucky to be alive I think. It could have been me in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.”
Bennett, who won last year’s Tour of California now sits in 11th place overall at the Tour of the Alps after two stages.
The 28-year-old’s knees were heavily strapped but he remains confident about his chances in the Giro d’Italia which starts on May 4.
“Generally, I’m fine. My left knee I was a bit worried about and my left arm. The good thing is, I’m sore everywhere but nothing is really bad,” he added.
