Sam Bennett's inclusion in Tour de France team looking more certain after Spainish win

Sam Bennett has made a dream start to his tenure with NetApp-Endura, adding a win in Spain today to a 3rd place on the final stage in the Tour of Oman last month; seen here leading the group in Oman.

By Graham Healy

Following on from his recent spate of top tens in the Tours of Qatar and Oman, Sam Bennett (Team NetApp-Endura) took his first win today as a professional when he claimed victory in the UCI 1.1 Clásica de Almería in Spain.

It’s a race that often comes down to a sprint finish, with the likes of Theo Bos, Juan José Haedo and Mark Renshaw having won previously.

Despite the riders having to face four climbs - Aljibe de la Cruz at kilometres 54 and 125, La Alquería after 89 kilometres and La Trinchera after 111 kilometres - the race was expected again to finish in a bunch sprint today.

Based on his finishing kick and good form, Bennett would have been amongst the favourites lining up today and if he maintains his form will make his team’s Tour de France squad.

Amongst the big names present for today’s 178km outing were Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana of Movistar, Davide Rebellin (CCC Polsat) Luis Leon Sanchez (Caja Rural - Seguros RGA) , Daniel Navarro (Cofidis) and Bennett’s team mate Tiago Machado.

Valverde had shown he was in good form the previous day when he had taken victory in the Vuelta Ciclista a Murcia, ahead of Machado and Rebellin, where Bennett did not finish.

After a number of unsuccessful attempts, today’s breakaway established after 22 kilometres and consisted of seven riders.

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However, they were never given much leeway, and their advantage didn’t go above two and a half minutes. Movistar were driving the bunch behind and in the last hour of racing, the escapees were caught.

With 25 kilometres remaining, echelons started to form in the crosswinds, and a lead group established with 19 riders. Amongst those who made it into the lead group were Rebellin, Valverde, José Joaquin Rojas and Pablo Lastras of Movistar, Jerome Coppel of Cofidis; but also Bennett and his two team mates, Iker Camano and Erick Rowsell.

They quickly extended their lead over the chasers as the group worked well together. A number of attempts were made to go clear from this lead group in the closing kilometres, but none were successful.

Coming into the last kilometre, it was looking good for Movistar due to their strength in numbers. However, Bennett was easily able to outsprint Juan Jose Lobato by a couple of lengths for the win.

It will be a tremendous confidence booster for the 23 year-old, who recently told stickybottle: “I don’t want to be one of those sprinters that can only follow and never win.”

Today’s result shows that he won’t have to worry about not getting to the top step of the podium this year.