Sam Bennett wasn't that far off the lead group at Milan-San Remo; nothing that another year's development won't bridge.
Having told stickybottle on the eve of the race he would love to make the front group in Milan-San Remo but perhaps had to aim to simply finish the near 300km classic, Sam Bennett was not too far from the hunt into today’s contest.
The Irishman came home in 78th place in a group 4:59 down on the leaders.
Bennett’s directeur sportif Enrico Poitschke said his charge was in the hunt, battling to stay with the leaders, to the Cipressa climb with around 70km remaining.
And while he would lose contact with the lead group, the team was happy with his performance.
“The race carried out exactly as we expected,” said Poitschke.
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“Our main goal was that one of our riders is part of the lead group. Jan (Barta) made it into the early break and he did a good race.
“The guys back in the peloton were assigned to bring Sam in a good position at the deciding points of the race. Cristiano (Salerno) and Paul (Voss) had the tactical freedom to follow late attacks.
John Degenkolb wins Milan-San Remo ahead of Alexander Kristoff and Michael Matthews (Photo: Sirotti)
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“Unfortunately Paul was involved in a crash with several riders at the Capo Berta which also kept back some more of our riders. It’s a real pity for Paul because he had a very good form.
“The guys did their best to bring Sam back to the front group till the Cipressa, which didn’t work out unfortunately.
“We knew beforehand that this race might be a bit too long at this point for Sam. We gave him the chance to get to know the race for upcoming years. And that’s what he did very well.
"According to his statement after the race he wasn’t that far away from being part of the selected group that sprinted for the win. That’s a very promising sign.”
The race came down to a sprint from around 30 riders after 6hrs 46mins in the saddle with German rider John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin) getting the verdict from defending champion Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and Michael Matthews (Orica-Greenedge).
Brief Result: Milan-San Remo (293km)
1 John Degenkolb (Ger) Team Giant - Alpecin 6:46:16
2 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha
3 Michael Matthews (Aus) Orica Greenedge
4 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff Saxo
5 Niccolo' Bonifazio (Ita) Lampre - Merida
6 Nacer Bouhanni (Fra) Cofidis, Solutions Credits
7 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Trek Factory Racing
8 Davide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre - Merida
9 Tony Gallopin (Fra) Lotto Soudal
10 Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) MTN - Qhubeka
11 Jurgen Roelandts (Bel) Lotto Soudal
12 Matti Breschel (Den) Tinkoff Saxo
13 Ben Swift (GBr) Team Sky
14 Sebastian Langeveld (Ned) Team Cannondale - Garmin
15 Tim Wellens (Bel) Lotto Soudal
16 Grega Bole (Slo) Ccc Sprandi Polkowice
17 Paul Martens (Ger) Team Lotto NL - Jumbo
18 Sonny Colbrelli (Ita) Bardiani CSF
19 Greg Van Avermaet (Bel) BMC Racing Team
20 Aleja Valverde Belmonte (Spa) Movistar Team all same time
78 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora - Argon 18 @4:59
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