By Graham Healy
Sam Bennett (An Post – Sean Kelly) notched up another podium placing yesterday evening when he finished 2nd in the Kortenaken-Stok kermesse in East Flanders. This follows on from his recent 3rd place finish in the Ronde van Noord Holland.
Yesterday’s race comprised 10 laps of 12 kilometres on a fast windy circuit. The pace was high from the start with no significant breaks gaining any sort advantage until the 5th lap.
A small group of seven riders went clear, including Bennett. They were always within sight of the peloton however, as they struggled to build up their lead.
Others tried to bridge across but were unsuccessful before the lead group was whittled down to just two in the finale.
Unfortunately for Bennett, he was narrowly beaten in the sprint by Timothy Stevens, who previously raced with the Vacansoleil team. The duo just about held off the bunch behind.
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The result shows Bennett is now going very well in a crucial period for the team as the An Post Ras gets much closer.
Tim O’Regan (DID Dunboyne) who has been racing in Belgium for the past few weeks, and Bennett’s team mates, Jonny Bellis and Scott Law were also due to start, but were not listed amongst the finishers.
Next up for Bennett is Sunday’s Circuit de Wallonie, where he will line up alongside Sean Downey, Connor McConvey and Ronan McLaughlin.
Kortenaken-Stok Kermesse
1 Timothy Stevens Ovyta - Eijssen Acrog
2 Sam Bennett An Post-M. Donnelly-Grant Thornton
3 Florent Mottet
4 Sullyvan Piet Ucs Crabbé Performance VOO
5 Anthony Savo
6 Kevin Van Lierde Van Eyck Sport
7 Tom Linten
8 Michael Savo
9 Ruben Tissink ZRTC Theo Middelkamp
10 Laurent Donnay Melbotech– Prorace Cycling Team
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