Sam Bennett now has the option of riding some of the biggest races in the world thanks to wildcard invitations for his Bora-Argon 18 team.
By Brian Canty
Sam Bennett's Bora-Argon 18 team has been given a huge boost ahead of the 2016 season after it was granted wildcard entries for both Milan-San Remo (1.UWT) and Tirreno Adriatico (2.UWT).
The Irishman rode both races for the first time last year when little was realistically expected of him at that level.
However, he managed 3rd on the opening road stage of Tirreno for his first WorldTour podium.
He took eighth in the sprint that decided stage six and went on to finish what was his first stage race at that level, an experience that stood to him later in the season.
This year’s race starts on March 9th and has opportunities for the fast men on stages two, three, four and six; though each of those expected sprints come after more than 200km.
Advertisement
Stage five is the queen stage of the race where Bennett will be in a fight to maintain the best condition he can for the following day.
Related News
On last year's decisive day, Nairo Quintana (Movistar) fought through heavy snow to win on Terminillo but the organisers – RCS Sport - have found an even harder climb for a finish at Monte San Vicino this time around.
The 176km stage includes four serious categorised climbs before the 13km climb to the finish, which rises at 6.6 per cent.
The following day is another one for a sprinter, while the race concludes with a 10k individual time-trial on Tuesday March 15th.
However, by that stage, thoughts will have turned to Milan-San Remo the following Saturday.
Bennett learnt an awful lot in his debut last year where he finished a very decent 78th as part of a large group some five minutes behind winner John Degenkolb (Giant Alpecin).
Bora Argon 18 backed Bennett as much as they could and he hung on as long as he could before being dropped on the Cipressa with around 70k to go.
From there, there was no getting back on and the race was decided in a reduced sprint of around 30 riders.
Following that, Bennett readily accepted he was a few kilos too heavy and that became very apparent when he won a couple of stages of Bayern Rundfahrt a far lighter rider; beating some of those who contested the final of Milan San Remo.
The race is eight weeks tomorrow and it's one Bennett will really start to focus in on now.
Topics
