Bora-hansgrohe believes Sam Bennett back in shape at Giro d’Italia
Sam Bennett's team believe he is ready to rock as early as tomorrow when the sprinters should have their day.
After a tough start to his Giro d’Italia, Sam Bennett’s team Bora-hansgrohe believe the Irish man may be back on track.
Bennett, riding his third Grand Tour and first Giro, suffered a bug that seemed to set in on the eve of the race's start last Friday.
He managed a top 10 on the opening day when his team mate Lukas Pöstlberger won.
But for the next two stages he struggled badly with the classic systems of a bug that can hit finely tuned top athletes.
He struggled on for the next two stages and after the rest day on Monday he has come through today’s stage 4.
Advertisement
New leader Jungels and stage winner Polanc.
Related News
It finished atop Mount Etna and for sprinter Bennett such a stage would be one of minding himself as best he could.
He very wisely did that to the maximum and as the field split to pieces on the final climb he sat up and rode to the finish.
He would complete the stage in a small group 27:29 down on winner Jan Polanc (UAE Team Emirates). Bob Jungels (QuickStep) took the leader's pink jersey.
Bennett was in good company; his team mate Jan Bárta staying with him all the way.
They finished in a four-man group alongside Caleb Ewan (Orica Scott) and Roberto Ferrari (UAE Team Emirates).
“After the great start of our sprinters in Sardinia, our climbers wanted to show also their skills,” said Bora-hansgrohe spots director Christian Pömer.
“But today wasn’t the best day for them. The boys knew, they should save energy but Patrick (Konrad) and also José (Mendes) hadn’t the best day today.
“Tomorrow it´s again a day for the sprinters and I think Sam, who is in shape again, could make something.”
Wednesday’s stage 5 from Pedara to Messina is 159km.
After an undulating but not very hilly start the stage is flat and will suit a breakaway or the sprinters like Sam Bennett.
The ony other Irishman in the race, Philip Deignan of Team Sky, was 56th today in a small group 7:49 down.
Giro d'Italia stage 5
Topics
