Irish cyclist Sam Bennett Race Melbourne

The video shows Sam Bennett really demolish two top sprinters and their lead-out trains. Despite this, he said he was still feeling ill just yesterday. He was surprised to win and said it bodes well for the rest of the season.

Video Irish cyclist Sam Bennett win Race Melbourrne 2018

The lead-out trains of Mitchelton-Scott and QuickStep looked to have the final sprint at Race Melbourne under control.

However, Sam Bennett was far too strong for them.

Held at motor racing track Albert Park, the race was fast and concluded in a very lengthy sprint.

And while the head-on photo makes it look close, it was anything but.

Mitchelton-Scott was leading out Caleb Ewan but hit the front too early and Ewan faded to 5^th.

QuickStep took up the challenge a little later in a bid to get Elia Viviani another victory.

But while the Belgian team looked powerful, once Sam Bennett hit the afterburners nobody got close to him.

Viviani, a stage winner at the Tour Down Under last week, was 2^nd. The Italian was several lengths behind Bennett.

And the gap back to 3^rd place Steele Van Hoff (Australia) was even bigger.

An early breakaway was caught on the last 5.3km lap, of 22, paving the way for the sprint.

Race Melbourne 2018 final sprint

Irish rider of @BORAhansgrohe, @Sammmy_Be, wins #RaceMelbourne for 2nd year in a row. 2nd position for @EliaViviani (@QuickStepTeam) & 3rd for @SteeleVH (@BennelongSwissW).
?Full Race: https://t.co/ipkbtvZhy7 pic.twitter.com/VxlC930R2K

— Brain on Wheels ? (@BrainOnWheels) January 25, 2018

“I came to the Tour Down Under and unfortunately fell ill there, and didn’t have very good form.

“Yesterday, I even had to turn back from training because I felt in a bad way. So, today’s result is a bit of a surprise.

“I had good legs and the Bora-Hansgrohe guys did an excellent job to put me in a good position into the final stretch.

“It is very encouraging to get this win, which I think bodes well for the rest of the season. To win twice here is also a great feeling.”

Manager Steffen Radochla was equally pleased, praising the efforts of the Irish cyclist.

“The plan was to put Sam in a good position in the finishing straight, and deal with the headwind on the finish line,” he said.

“This is a fantastic win for him, and also a very important win. I’m very proud of the team which delivered him to victory today.

“At the Tour Down Under, he struggled with the heat and illness. And so it’s good to see him bounce back and gain confidence for the rest of the reason.

“Almost half of the WorldTour teams are here, and so to see Sam emerge victorious ahead of sprinters like Ewan and Viviani is very encouraging.

“These are top-notch sprinters who are not easy to beat. We are confident heading into the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on Sunday.”