Sam Bennett signs on at the Tour of Turkey this week in search of a third points jersey victory to cap a powerful 2017 for the World Tour sprinter
Sam Bennett and team could dominate at final WorldTour race
IT has been a career-defining year for Sam Bennett, but the Irish sprinter has a final roll of the dice this week as bids for a third points jersey at the 53rd Presidential Tour of Turkey.
The six-day race has been upgraded to World Tour status this season, after moving from the April date it had been struggling in, to October 10-15, making it 2017's final World Tour event.
There is one major climb on this tour, an uphill finish into Selçuc on Friday's fourth stage, a 205km stage that could prove decisive for general classification, but the majority of the race is the realm of the one-day rider, or sprinting country, including Tuesday's stage one.
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It begins with a flat 177km stage from Alanya, through the south's main city Antalya, to the seaside village of Kemer.
With only four World Tour teams in the 14-strong line-up, the Bennett is clear favourite to win that stage, and go on to pick up a third points jersey of the season after wins at the Tour of Slovenia and Czech Cycling Tour.
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Both those victories came in the second half of the year, his form building up to that giant-scalping success at Sparkassen Münsterland Giro - Marcel Kittel, Andre Greipel and Phil Bauhaus overpowered that afternoon in a thrilling finish.
Immense strength was shown by Bennett at Sparkassen Münsterland Giro to out-sprint some of this era's finest powerhouses, in arguably the best performance of his career
Bennett won two stages in Slovenia and Czech, but Turkey's route is flatter, Thursday's stage three and Sunday's finale representing further opportunities for the quick men. It is not inconceivable that Bennett could finish with three stage wins.
Bora-Hansgrohe are joined by Astana, Trek Segafredo and UAE Emirates on the start list, nine Pro Continental squads also present, including David Arroyo's Caja - Seguros RGA, plus Turkey's National Team.
UAE Emirates have the strongest hand for the overall title, Diego Ulissi leading the team after showing fine one-day form late in the season, with Vuelta a Espana 20th Darwin Atapuma providing another option.
Bolstering Bora-Hansgrohe's options is Austrian National Champion Gregor Mühlberger. The 23-year-old finished fourth in the Tour of Slovenia.
The Tour of Turkey is live on Eurosport, stage one coverage beginning at 2pm.
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