Bennett gets stuck into team effort, UAE take on Catalunya final

Ireland's Sam Bennett leads his team mates during the early phase of the stage as he continues his comeback (Photo: Szymon Gruchalski-Getty Images)

Sam Bennett (Q36.5 Pinarello) was always going to take some time to get back into racing form following his delayed start to the season, due to health issues. And though he lost time at Volta Ciclista a Catalunya (2.UWT) today, Monday, the bruising day out represents another step forward in his comeback.

The Irishman worked for the team in the early phase of the race - which should help enhance his form - even though the stage looked like one where the sprints may get a chance, and some of them did in the end.

But most of those riders who earn their crust sprinting were not in contention at the finish in Sant Feliu de Guíxols after UAE Team Emirates XRG lit up the final with aggressive racing.

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The UAE riders hammered out a serious pace on the front of the bunch for most of the final 15km, including the last climb of the day. And though it was a modest, non-categorised ascent, the way it was raced made it brutal for many.

Jonas Vingegaard trailed by Remco Evenepoel and Tom Pidcock during a very tough final of the opening stage (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski-Getty Images)

Riders were spat out the back with alarming frequency all the way to the line, with Bahrain Victorious taking it up after UAE faded a little. Once over the top of the climb, Jonas Vingegaard (Visma-Lease a Bike) led the field down the descent.

The Dane, who is the favourite for the overall after dominating Paris-Nice, was clearly keen to avoid any crashes on the tricky downhill, and technical lead in to the final kilometre.

At the end of four hours of racing, the top 10 featured more general classification riders than sprinters, even though the fight for victory came down to a bunch gallop.

Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pinarello) opened up the sprint with almost 400m to go, much too early as it happened. Remco Evenepoel (Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe) and French champion Dorian Godon (Ineos Grenadiers) soon came around him.

Evenepoel put in a huge kick inside the final 200m, with Godon really struggling to get onto his wheel. And though the Ineos Grenadiers rider then drew level with the Belgian, and nudged in front, Evenepoel came back at him, resulting in a photo finish.

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Godon threw one arm up in celebration, only to lower it immediately, fearful Evenepoel's second wind had pipped him on the line. But the Frenchman was confirmed the winner, with Evenepoel 2nd and Pidcock holding on for 3rd; an incredible result considering how early he opened the sprint.

From an Irish perspective, Bennett and Darren Rafferty (EF Education-EasyPost) were off the back of the 70-rider bunch. Rafferty, who is riding in support of Richard Carapaz, was only distanced very close to the finish, crossing the line 103rd at 2:16.

Bennett was further back, finishing in 156th over 13 minutes down, though he had worked for the team earlier in the race and did not look like he was aiming for a result for himself today.

Furthermore, a heart scare at the end of last year forced him to put his bike aside for a time and undergo a surgical procedure, for an irregular heart beat. That was followed by a period of rehab and then slowly getting back to training properly.

He also only started his season last week at Danilith Nokere Koerse (1.Pro). All those factors mean he is on the back foot, especially competing against riders who have been racing for a month or two.

But if Bennett can finish this week, his first stage race of the year, it should really help build his engine and bolster his confidence. For Rafferty, a strong ride in support of Carapaz is what is aimed for, especially as the young Tyrone man is chasing Giro d'Italia selection.

The week-long Volta Ciclista a Catalunya continues tomorrow, Tuesday, with the 167.4km stage 2 from Figueres to Banyoles. Though there is only one small climb, just after the start, the final third of the stage features some lumps and bumps. They could work against the sprinters, especially if the final is raced all-out, as today's was.

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