Any suggestion Sam Bennett may take some time to return to top sprinting form, after a mixed season last year, has been put to one side as he went very close to winning his first race of the 2022 campaign today.
Bennett, now back riding for Bora-hansgrohe, was 2nd on the opening stage of UAE Tour; the 31-year-old beaten by Japser Philipsen (Alpecin Fenix) in the final dash to the line after 184km of racing into Madinat Zayed.
After the early breakaway was caught today, the bunch didn't really ramp up the pace until deep inside the final 10km. And with about 5km to go, as the lead-out trains were fighting for position, Bennett and his new Bora-hansgrohe lead-out were not challenging at the front.
However, in the final kilometre Bennett was visible close to the front of the bunch, being led through late by Danny van Poppel. The Dutchman and his Irish team leader left it very late, though Bennett still got a good run at the line.
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Philipsen was too strong today for his rivals and the young Belgian won the stage comfortably, though he moved to his right a little and closed the door on Dylan Groenewegen (BikeExchange-Jayco), who was trying to come up the inside along the barriers.
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That movement by Philipsen saw Groenewegen's momentum lost and he had to tip the brakes and was forced to settle for 4th place. The battle for 2nd and 3rd was between Bennett and Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers), with the Irish rider pipping the Italian for the runner-up placing.
Philipsen and Groenewegen looked like the fastest riders in the sprint, though Bennett can be very happy with his performance. He looks in great condition and teamed up with Van Poppel very well; the Dutch rider dropping him off right on the front at the perfect moment to launch his sprint.
More to come.
