Sam Bennett man-marked Peter Sagan in the early phase of today's stage 15 at the Tour de France to ensure he didn't get in the breakaway before the Irish rider and his team mate both beat Sagan at the intermediate sprint.
In text book old-school racing, Bennett has set out to neutralise Sagan early in stages and the tactic has worked so far, with Bennett nudging a little further clear of his rival today by picking up two points more than him at the intermediate sprint.
[banners_ad id=55]
By the time today's stage reached the sprint at Le Bouchage an eight-rider group was up the road. That included Matteo Trentin; the Italian riding for CCC Team who has an outside chance in the points classification.
Trentin took the sprint, and the maximum 20 points, and about four minutes later Bennett's Deceuninck-QuickStep led him out for the sprint in the bunch; Bennett taking it from his team mate Michael Mørkøv and Sagan (Bora-hansgrohe) next.
Advertisement
Bennett picked up seven points for his efforts and Sagan took five, leaving them on 269 and 224 points respectively in the classification at the end of the day as neither featured in the final stage results on the summit finish.
Sagan, as has been the case on many stages, tried repeatedly today to get in the early breakaway, with Bennett racing him head-to-head; following him around in the latest chapter of what has become the best battle for the green jersey in many years.
Today, for example, Sagan's attacking to get in the escape and Bennett's marking of him was very aggressive for a sustained period despite such a hard stage laying ahead; the Montée de la Selle de Fromentel, Col de la Biche and HC Grand Colombier all to be tackled on the 174.5km stage with a summit finish.
While he used a lot of power in the early part of today’s
stage marking Sagan and then beating him at the sprint, Bennett said he was
happy with how it went.
“It was another hard day and I used a lot of energy for
the intermediate sprint, but overall I felt pretty good compared to other
stages,” he said.
“Everything was under control today. I could count again on this fantastic team. And I’m happy that I will now start the final week of the Tour in the green jersey.”
Related News
💚 Battle between @Sammmy_Be and @petosagan at the intermediate sprint. Advantage Bennett today.
💚 Avantage Bennett au sprint intermédiaire du jour. #TDF2020 #TDFunited pic.twitter.com/HHSbFwPz7k— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) September 13, 2020
Bennett said when Sagan and his team attacked on the
climb before the intermediate sprint on Saturday he let them go because he
wanted to save his legs for bigger climbs.
“In the end I didn’t get over the longer climb, but I almost did, so it was about being smart, and using the energy wisely.
"That’s what every Grand Tour is about; preserving energy when you can, and using it when you have to.
“Once the climbs come, it was about surviving. I definitely wouldn’t be in this position without my team mates, they’re doing a fantastic job, and I can’t thank them enough.”
And while the rest day falls tomorrow before the final
phase of the race next week, Bennett said he’s in a good position but he’s not
counting his chickens just yet.
“It’s looking better, but there’s still a long way to go. Paris definitely feels that bit closer, just five road stages and one time trial. So it doesn’t seem that far. But a lot can happen in those days too.”
He said the key thing was to survive in the Alps next week but he felt while last Friday’s stage was very tough, he was much better yesterday and he was buoyed by that.
“I think on Saturday we limited our losses, the legs are
good, and the morale is good. I’m enjoying the battle, and having a lot of fun.
“We’re taking each day as it comes, and often you just do the best you can. But at the moment everything is looking good, but a lot can change in the next few days."
Topics
