Andre Greipel was a clear winner of the Trofeo Playa de Palma in Majorca, making it two wins from two so far this year. Sam Bennett, above, managed 4th but was less than pleased with the result.
By Brian Canty
Sam Bennett was left disappointed for the second time in four days on Sunday as he was beaten in the sprint that decided the fourth and final race that made up the Challenge Majorca series.
The Trofeo Playa de Palma was always going to be one for the sprinters.
And as well as Bennett’s Bora-Argon 18 team, eventual winner Andre Greipel’s Lotto-Soudal was to the fore throughout the relatively flat 161-kilometre race.
The German was a comfortable winner, profiting from a perfect lead-out once again from his team to blast clear of runner-up Nacer Bouhanni (Cofidis) and Swiss rider Dylan Page of Team Roth.
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Irishman Bennett was next, just missing out on his second podium of the series after finishing 2nd to Greipel on Thursday.
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The Carrick-on-Suir sprinter was fourth in the same event last year and after his team gave him full backing on Sunday afternoon, the young Irishman was disappointed to come away with the same outcome.
However, it’s by no means a bad result and he can go to the Tour of Qatar next week with more confidence and motivation.
Sunday’s race had only one categorised climb after 125 kilometres but it still gave the peloton problems.
One man who acquitted himself well once again was Irish neo-pro Ryan Mullen who crossed the line in the same time as Greipel.
The Cannondale man was 35th and that represents a very solid performance once again, following his breakaway ride on Friday and Thursday’s bunch finish.
Sun, Jan 31st: Trofeo Playa de Palma
1 André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudal 3:50:53
2 Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
3 Dylan Page (Swi) Team Roth
4 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18
5 Albert Torres (Spa) Spain
6 Jonas Vangenechten (Bel) IAM Cycling
7 Youcef Reguigui (Alg) Dimension Data
8 Ramunas Navardauskas (Ltu) Cannondale Pro Cycling
9 Lorenzo Manzin (Fra) FDJ
10 Marc Sarreau (Fra) FDJ
35 Ryan Mullen (Irl) Cannondale Pro Cycling
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