Sam Bennett takes first ever Grand Tour podium at Giro d'Italia
Sam Bennett takes first ever Grand Tour podium at the Giro d'Italia. Fernando Gaviria of Quick-Step Floors took victory.
By Brian Canty
Sam Bennett has taken his best result of the Giro d’Italia so far after finishing third on today’s fifth stage of the race into Messina.
The bunch sprint was won by Colombian Fernando Gaviria of Quick-Step Floors after he came with a late burst to deny Bennett.
And just when it looked like the Carrick man would hang on for second he was pipped for that by a fast-finishing Jakub Mareczko of Wilier Triestina.
It’s still an excellent result for Bennett and one he must be very happy with, given the illness he’s had in his system in recent days.
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Yesterday’s finish on Mount Etna was never going to be one for him.
But prior to that there were three stages decided in sprints and though his teammate Lukas Postlberger won the first on the opening day, Bennett was anonymous in the days that followed.
He showed real character to come back from that setback and get up to contest the final today.
It was a hectic last 10 kilometres with at least four teams setting up well-drilled lead-out trains.
Indeed, Bora-Hansgrohe, Lotto-Soudal, Bahrain Merida and Quick-Step Floors were all jockeying for position.
Bennett showed immense resolve to smoothly surf up to the front of the bunch – though it did require a rather hairy moment with a Quick Step Floors man just as the sprint was about to launch.
He looked to be in a perfect position as he came off the wheel of his teammate and he struck out for victory with his usual kick.
But the race was 20 metres too long for Bennett as Gaviria found another gear to gallop in for his second win in the race.
His teammate Bob Jungels retains the race lead after finishing in the bunch.
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