Sam Bennett just misses win in Australia; beats Sagan in sprint

Caleb Ewan, far right, in full flight for the line with Sam Bennett and Peter Sagan just behind taking 2nd and 3rd in that order.

Sam Bennett has taken his first podium placing of 2017 in his very first race of the year in Australia.

The Irishman, now riding for WorldTour team Bora-Hansgrohe, was beaten for victory by Australian fastman Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott).

And in the end it was only the fact Ewan has been racing in Australia of late and so has honed his form, combined with the fact he got a perfect lead-out from his team, that he was able to hold off a late surge from Bennett.

The 50.6km event has long been the curtain raised for the Tour Down Under.

Related News

Lara Gillespie attacks Dolomite stage as Giro hits high mountains

Video - Ireland's Meehan climbs with best on brutal Alpine terrain

And today Dimension Data’s Ben O’Connor stole away in a solo move for much of the race, with the main field content to leave him out there and ride steady after him.

In the last five laps he was unable to keep it going, though he put in a great effort.

And while Orica-Scott worked really well as a team to get Ewan over the line first, Sagan and Bennett did not combined quite so well; perhaps understandable considering it was their first race together.

In the end Ewan took victory, with Bennett finishing very fast indeed and almost taking the Australian speedster on the line.