Disaster strikes as Sam Bennett crashes in prologue TT at Boucles de la Mayenne

Seen here in the Rás with team mate Ronan McLaughlin, Sam Bennett's run of bad luck since taking two stages in the Irish eight-day has continued with a time trial crash in France (Photo: www.blackumbrellaphotography.com)

Sam Bennett's run of bad luck since his double stage-winning performance at last month's An Post Rás has continued in his first race since the Irish eight-day, as he crashed in the prologue TT of the Boucles de la Mayenne (UCI 2.2) four-day stage race in France yesterday.

The An Post-Chainreaction man lost control of the bike as he was cornering after coming down a descent. He remounted and limped home second last of the field, losing 57 seconds in the 4.5km test.

His mishap follows a dose of food poisoning and a sprained ankle, all since the end of the Rás.

The only other Irish rider in the French race is U23 international Jack Wilson, also riding for An Post-Chainreaction. He came home in 95th place in yesterday’s test, some 34 seconds down.