Sam Bennett sits in the wheel of teammate Zak Dempster during today's opening stage of the Tour of Qatar. The Irishman was one of just 16 riders who came to the line to contest the sprint where he managed a superb fourth.
By Brian Canty
Sam Bennett has maintained his good early-season form by posting a brilliant fourth-place finish in today’s windswept opening stage of the Tour of Qatar (2.HC).
Chasing his first win of the season after a second and a fourth in the Challenge Majorca series last week, the Irishman had to settle for the latter place again after being out-foxed in a hectic final.
Mark Cavendish proved his class by taking the gallop from Sacha Modolo (Lampre-Merida) and Andrea Guardini (Astana Pro Team) with Bennett next across the line.
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However, because he didn’t score in any of the intermediate sprints, Bennett is seventh on General Classification starting tomorrow’s second stage.
The man who finished immediately behind him on the stage, Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) picked up a time bonus for taking the first one while others to nick those vital seconds for minor placings were Greg Van Avermaet (BMC Racing team) and Viacheslav (Kuznetsov), respectively.
It all means Bennett is 15 seconds behind race leader Cavendish – who won the second intermediate sprint of the day.
Bennett had some great support from his team today and for that reason he’ll perhaps be a little disappointed not to have at least finished on the podium.
Cavendish wins it very well, with Bennett's arm and leg just visible behing him.
Of the 16 riders who came to the line, Bennett had Rudi Selig and Zak Dempster with him and that was only bettered by Katusha who had four men in the finish.
Cavendish lost Tyler Farrar to a puncture after the various groups had formed in the brutal crosswinds, and the Manxman only had Edvald Boasson Hagen with him coming to the line.
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Matt Brammeier was in the next group behind the front guys some 1’43” seconds back and that represents a very good ride by him also, given the largest group numbered over 56 riders some 12 minutes further back.
Tomorrow’s stage is another flat and fast one which starts and finishes at the Qatar University.
For the likes of Bennett it’ll be a chance to do some reconnaissance on the course this year’s world championships will be ridden on.
There’s an opening 80-kilometre loop followed three laps of the sinuous finishing circuit.
Stage 1: Dukhan - Al Khor Corniche (176km)
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data 3:28:46
2 Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre - Merida
3 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team
4 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18
5 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha
6 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data
7 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team
8 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing Team
9 Arnaud Gerard (Fra) Fortuneo - Vital Concept
10 Søren Kragh Andersen (Den) Team Giant-Alpecin
11 Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Rus) Team Katusha
12 Michael Schär (Swi) BMC Racing Team
13 Zakkari Dempster (Aus) Bora-Argon 18
14 Rudiger Selig (Ger) Bora-Argon 18 0:00:05
15 Sven Erik Bystrøm (Nor) Team Katusha
16 Michael Morkov (Den) Team Katusha 0:00:18
17 Marko Kump (Slo) Lampre - Merida 0:01:43
18 Moreno Hofland (Ned) Team LottoNl-Jumbo
19 Soufiane Haddi (UAE) Skydive Dubai
20 Mekseb Debesay (Eri) Dimension Data
General Classification
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data 3:28:31
2 Sacha Modolo (Ita) Lampre - Merida 0:00:08
3 Andrea Guardini (Ita) Astana Pro Team 0:00:11
4 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha 0:00:12
5 Viacheslav Kuznetsov (Rus) Team Katusha 0:00:13
6 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team 0:00:14
7 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18 0:00:15
8 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Dimension Data
9 Manuel Quinziato (Ita) BMC Racing Team
10 Arnaud Gerard (Fra) Fortuneo - Vital Concept
Stage1 final kilometres
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