Irish cyclist Sam Bennett has shown them how it's done in Melbourne. He's taken his opening win of 2018 in some style; and ahead of some very fast men.
Sam Bennett sprints in to win Race Melbourne from Viviani
Sam Bennett has put recent illness behind to win Race Melbourne in Australia.
He took the victory ahead of recent Tour Down Under stage winner Elia Viviani (Team Sky).
Steele von Hoff (Australia) was 3rd followed by Nikias Arndt (Team Sunweb) and Caleb Ewan (Mitchelton-Scott).
It was a welcome win for Bennett after the disappointment of last week.
He enjoyed a really strong end of season last year and was a favourite for stages win at the Tour Down Under.
However, he was hit hard by a head cold just before the race started.
And despite the usually straightforward nature of the ailment, he said it floored him.
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He had been unable to train for a period in Australia. And when he tried to he had no energy.
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It meant last week’s race was one of recovery and survival, while trying to help his team mates as best he could.
But the Carrick-on-Suir man is clearly back to winning ways.
And just as he had done last year, he opened his account at Race Melbourne with an impressive sprint win.
It seemed for a long time like the breakaway that animate the race would stay clear.
However, Ewan’s team did most of the chasing and pegged them back.
And though Viviani’s team mates looked to have the lead-out under control, there was no stopping Bennett.
Ewan hit the front far too early to win. And when Bennett pounced Viviani was left scrambling for his wheel.
It concluded with the first victory of 2018 for Bennett. But more importantly it was a timely confidence booster for the Irishman.
More to follow shortly.
Thurs, Jan 25th: Race Melbourne
1 Sam Bennett (Irl) Bora - Hansgrohe 2:29:08
2 Elia Viviani (Ita) Quick - Step Floors
3 Steele von Hoff (Aus) Kordamentha Real Estate - Australia
4 Nikias Arndt (Ger) Team Sunweb
5 Caleb Ewan (Aus) Mitchelton-Scott
6 Jens Debusschere (Bel) Lotto Soudal
7 Mads Wurtz Schmidt (Den) Katusha Alpecin
8 Lukasz Wisniowski (Pol) Team Sky
9 Robert Wagner (Ger) Team Lotto NL - Jumbo
10 Mike Teunissen (Ned) Team Sunweb
11 August Jensen (Nor) Israel Cycling Academy
12 Mikael Cherel (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
13 Nathan Haas (Aus) Katusha Alpecin
14 Alex Frame (NZl) Trek - Segafredo
15 Etienne Van Empel (Ned) Roompot – Nederlandse Loterij
16 Jay McCarthy (Aus) Bora - Hansgrohe
17 Daniel Oss (Ita) Bora - Hansgrohe
18 Nico Denz (Ger) AG2R La Mondiale
19 Enrico Battaglin (Ita) Team Lotto NL - Jumbo
20 Nans Peters (Fra) AG2R La Mondiale
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