Just 24 hours after recapturing his winning sprint with stage 2 victory at La Vuelta, Sam Bennett has added another win his palmares when he was best again on today's stage 3.
The Irish Bora-hansgrohe rider proved quickest in the bunch sprint that settled the 193.2km stage starting and finishing in Breda in the Netherlands.
As was the case yesterday, Ryan Mullen was on the front for Bora-hansgrohe deep into the final kilometre. And while he lost Bennett and Danny van Poppel for a period, Mullen realised his team mates were not behind him and so pulled off the front of the bunch, to ensure he was not leading out the other sprinters.
It was van Poppel who once again brought Bennett to the front very late and launched the Irishman for the victory; Bora-hansgrohe opting to only get involved right at the front just before the sprint began after other teams burnt their matches in the final kilometres trying to set up their fast men.
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In the final surge to the line, Bennett held off Mads Pedersen (Trek Segafredo) and Dan McLay (Arkéa Samsic), who were 2nd and 3rd respectively. The Irish rider held them off by about a bike length for what was a clear win in the end.
Pascal Ackermann (UAE Team Emirates) was first to launch his sprint, but went too early and faded to 9th. And while Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was hotly tipped for these early sprint stages, he unclipped in the sprint, though righted himself and still finished in 6th place.
Having missed half of last season due to a knee injury, Bennett struggled to find his form after moving back to Bora-hansgrohe this season. However, he had repeatedly said he believed his top sprinting form was coming back and has now proven that in great style with two victories already at La Vuelta.
More to follow.
