Sam Bennett slipped out of the race leader's jersey at BinckBank Tour today when he was dropped from what remained of the main field on the climbs of stage 4.
The Irish Bora-hansgrohe rider had won the opening three stages but today's outing was a different proposition; the 96.2km stage into Houffalize littered with short sharp climbs.
That terrain combined with wet conditions and crosswinds to split the racing to pieces, with Tim Wellens (Lotto-Soudal) winning the day and taking the race lead.
He was part of a four-man group that eventually became the winning breakaway after a real roadman's stage.
Wellens just saw off Marc Hirschi (Team Sunweb) after the impressive 20-year-old led it out and looked like he had it won.
Laurens De Plus (Jumbo-Visma) was 3rd at five seconds. Ivan Garcia (Bahrain-Merida), who had been with the leading trio until late in the day, led home a small chase group 23 seconds back.
Sam Bennett finished in a large group just over 15 minutes down; the terrain and all-out aggression not to his liking today.
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However, while he was 145th on the stage and is now 77th overall at 14:33, he retains the points jersey.
Tomorrow's stage 5 is 191.4km from Riemst to Venray and as it is flat it may suit Bennett.
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