Ireland's Sam Bennett sprinting his way into the top 10 on the Tour de France for the first time in his career (Photo: Sirotti)
After taking a week to find his legs in the biggest race in the world, Sam Bennett has contested his first bunch sprint finish at the Tour de France and sneaked into the top 10.
The Irish speedster, riding for Bora-Argon 18, took 10th place behind most of the fastest men in the world on stage 7.
It took the riders 190.5km from Livarot to Fougères and ended in a huge bunch sprint after the early breakaway was caught.
Sailing over the line at the end of the big gun gallop was Mark Cavendish of Etixx-Quickstep.
It was the Isle of Man rider’s 26th stage victory in the Tour de France and came after green jersey wearer André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) had taken victory on the only two stages settled in group sprints since the race got underway in Utrecht last Saturday.
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Ireland’s Bennett did not contest either of those, having found himself on the wrong end of splits in the bunch during a week of rain, crashes and crosswinds.
But today he made it all the way and was in the mix despite his team suggesting last night had had not been feeling well.
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Behind Cavendish today came is German nemesis Greipel followed by a whose who of cycling’s fastest men.
Peter Sagan of Tinkoff-Saxo was 3rd followed by John Degenkolb (Giant-Alpecin), Alexander Kristoff (Katusha), Arnaud Demare (FDJ.fr), Tyler Farrar (MTN-Qhubeka), Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (MTN-Qhubeka), Davide Cimolai (Lampre-Merida) and Bennett.
More later.
Stage 7: Livarot to Fougères (190.5km)
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Etixx - Quick-Step 4:27:25
2 André Greipel (Ger) Lotto Soudal
3 Peter Sagan (Svk) Tinkoff-Saxo
4 John Degenkolb (Ger) Team Giant-Alpecin
5 Alexander Kristoff (Nor) Team Katusha
6 Arnaud Demare (Fra) FDJ.fr
7 Tyler Farrar (USA) MTN - Qhubeka
8 Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (RSA) MTN - Qhubeka
9 Davide Cimolai (Ita) Lampre-Merida
10 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora-Argon 18
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