Alexander Kristoff takes the opening stage in Norway from Edvald Boasson Hagen and Ireland's Sam Bennett.
Less than a month after withdrawing from the Tour de France, Sam Bennett has returned to racing in great style at the Arctic Tour of Norway.
The Irishman riding for Bora Argon 18 was 3rd in the very testing bunch sprint that settled the opening stage of the race today, Thursday.
He came home at the end of the uphill sprint just behind stage victor and race leader Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), with Edvald Boasson Hagen of MTN-Qhubeka taking 2nd place.
It was a great ride for Bennett who withdrew from the Tour de France on stage 17 after riding himself to a halt.
He had been in great form to June, but missing a month due to illness just before the Tour took its toll and despite one top 10 placing, he never looked close to his best.
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Bennett's 3rd place on the opening stage was enough to give him the young rider's classification jersey.
“Four or five days ago I started urinating blood because I was throwing the bike around so much trying to hang on and I damaged something,” he told stickybottle after his Tour withdrawal.
“That was one problem and then yesterday I got a really bad virus and was in bed with all my clothes on under the quilt in 30 degree heat and I just slept 18 hours.
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“I couldn’t event walk down to the dinner table I was so fucked yesterday. And then I had to go on an antibiotic last night. That was for the urinating problem.
“I knew yesterday I was in trouble, all my joints and muscles were so sore. I thought I wouldn’t even get to start today.”
However, while he was clearly in a bad way, it looks like he has bounced back physically and mentally, with plenty of racing remaining this season.
More later.
Stage 1: Harstad - Harstad (210km)
1 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha 4:58:36
2 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) MTN - Qhubeka
3 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18
4 Niccolo Bonifazio (Ita) Lampre-Merida
5 Michael Van Staeyen (Bel) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
6 Rasmus Guldhammer (Den) Cult Energy Pro Cycling
7 Amaury Capiot (Bel) Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise
8 Martin Elmiger (Swi) IAM Cycling
9 Anthony Turgis (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
10 Sondre Holst Enger (Nor) IAM Cycling
The scenery at the Arctic Tour of Norway is always absolutely spectacular.
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