Sam Bennett wins stage 12 of this year's Giro on the Imola motor racing track. He negotiated some late climbs and bad weather, not to mention a late two-man escape, to demolish the finish.

Sam Bennett stage win chances Giro d'Italia 2019

Sam Bennett’s 2018 season may have lagged somewhat in the middle, but it was still a breakthrough year for him.

He took his first Grand Tour stage win; on the seventh day of the Giro into Praia a Mare. And he followed that up by winning stage 12 into Imola, and the final leg into Rome.

A victory at Rund um Köln (1.1) followed in Germany immediately after the Giro.

And while it would be another four months before he would win again; he took three stages and the points classification at the Tour of Turkey.

For Sam Bennett, the next few years will be about taking as many big wins as he can. Grand Tour stages will be the most important.

And with Peter Sagan looking set to star for Bora-hansgrohe at the Tour de France next July, Bennett will likely look to the Giro.

He said as much after Turkey; expressing a desire to go into the Giro and Paris-Nice next year with a leadership role.

And well he might push hard for such a status, because next year’s Giro route is one that can really suit him.

He finished on the podium eight times this year. And next year’s route looks to hold roughly the same number of chances.

There are probably fewer pure sprinters stages than 2018. But Bennett can climb better than most of the really fast men.

And if that ability is factored in when analysing the 2019 route with Bennett in mind, there are nine stages that he could win.

That doesn’t mean he will win them, of course. But these are the ones that should see him involved in a sprint for victory, barring breakaways.

A word of warning; when trying to analyse the Giro route in advance, the stage profiles and the actual routes are not always the same.

Sometimes what look like small climbs on the profile are harder in reality. And occasionally non-categorised ramps that are not included in the profile can end the sprinters’ hopes.

But based on the profiles available at this point, these are the stages that Sam Bennett can target:

Stage 2: Bologna to Fucecchio (200k)

Of the nine stages we've picked out, this is perhaps the biggest stretch for Bennett, even though he can climb well. There are two short climbs in the final third of the race. Bennett would be able to negotiate either climb; it's one following the other so quickly that poses the challenge. On balance, we think he can do it and we also think he'll be the only sprinter who'll be able to get over the two climbs. All going well; once he's healthy and has form, this could see Bennett get his Giro 2019 off to a great start, though everything would have to go perfectly for him.

Stage 3: Vinci to Orbetello (219k)

Stage 4: Orbetello to Frascati (228km)

This is an undulating and long day in the saddle, with the only categorised climb coming very early indeed. Aside from that, this looks like a wearing down process; but one in which the sprinters should still be in contention at the end. The only fly in the ointment is the rise to the finish line. The Giro describes it as a "mild" incline. If that proves to be the case, this looks like one for Bennett above the other speedsters.

Stage 5: Frascati to Terracina (140km)

The chances come thick and fast in the early part of the race, and the fifth stage is another one. There's an uphill start and another short sharp climb shortly after that. So even if Bennett lost some time here or found the going a tougher than he'd like, he would normally get back on and recover without too much trouble. The one interesting aspect of this stage is that it's only 140km. If one of the general classification men were to falter during the lumpy start, some of the rival teams may go on the front to ensure those riders don't get back. But that's the only difficulty we see here for Bennett. He should be sprinting it out for victory here.

Stage 6: Cassino to San Giovanni Rotondo (233km)

This is an undulating stage with a lumpy finish. And whether Bennett will be in contention here depends on the general classification men. The late climb is described as "not harsh" in the stage profile. But it's followed by some downhill and another small kick upwards. Sam Bennett definitely has the legs to be in contention here, but that will depend on how the finale is raced. Will some of GC men see this finish as an opportunity to gain time? If so, the field may split significantly and even a sprinter like Bennett may not cope on the final ramps. But once the general classification men don't go to war, this looks like one for Bennett once he's climbing at his best.

Stage 8: Tortoreto Lido to Pesaro (235km)

There may be some lumps and bumps in the final third of the stage, but it looks like the kind of profile that would help Sam Bennett more than hinder him. This appears to be one of those stages where some of the sprinters will be taken out by the final two climbs. But Bennett should be able to contend with those climbs much better.

Stage 10: Ravenna to Modena (147k)

This stage is plan flat and looks like a nailed-on bunch sprint. The absence of climbs, and the fact this is a short stage, should see all of the sprinters still in contention at the finish.

Stage 11: Carpi to Novi Ligure (206km)

There may be a slight rise in the latter part of the stage but it looks minimal. Like the day before; this looks very much like a day for a certain bunch sprint.

Stage 18: Valdaora-Olang to Santa Maria di Sala (220km)

With the final three stages of the Giro consisting of two mountain stages and final day TT in Verona, the sprinters get their last chance on the eighteenth stage. It's not completely without climbs, but it looks like one of the sprinters.