They both held the NBL National No. 1 pro title, Bennett in 2002, 2004 and 2007; Purse in 1995 and 1996. Both also won UCI Elite Men World Championships: Purse in 1997 and Bennett in 2002, 2004 and 2007. When Purse was an up-and-coming pro and Bennett was an amateur at the beginning of his career, they were on the same team. While traveling at high speed in the early hours of October 14, 2012, Bennett's 2006 Toyota Tundra pickup truck went off the road in Conroe, Texas. Bennett was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials said he was not wearing a seat belt.