Video: Sam Bennett hits out too early in Paris-Nice sprint finish

Sam Bennett looked like he had worked himself into a great position in the final sprint of Paris-Nice stage 2. But in the end he showed his hand a little too early.

Having won a stage at Paris-Nice last year, Sam Bennett seemed in a great position to take another win today.

But at the end of stage 2 the Irishman hit the front too early and paid the price; fading to 11th on the day.

It was a frustrating end for Bennett, who had positioned himself perfectly with the help of his Bora-hansgrohe team.

The Irishman got separated from his final team mate just as the sprint opened up. But that slip aside he still looked likely just before the final kick began.

Unfortunately, he then found himself on the front about 50 to 100 metres too early. And on an uphill finish that proved costly.

"The guys did a great job to keep me in position until the last kilometre," he said.

"On the home straight I saw FDJ coming and thought I have to go (so I) don’t get boxed in. This was too early.

"I felt really strong when I hit the front with 250m (to go). But in the last 100m I couldn’t match the speed of the guys coming out of my slipstream."

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'Wow!'

What a finish to Stage 2 of #ParisNice pic.twitter.com/sMkL9lP40i

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) March 5, 2018

The stage, into Vierzon, was won by Dylan Groenewegen (LottoNL-Jumbo). Elia Viviani (Quick-Step) was next and then André Greipel (Lotto Soudal).

Bennett was back in 11th in the same time as the winner. Compatriots Nicolas Roche (BMC Racing) and Dan Martin (UAE Team Emirates) were also in the bunch; in 85th and 40th place respectively.

The race leader having won Sunday’s opening stage; Arnaud Demare (Groupama-FDJ) was 5th today and retained the yellow jersey.

He has a second lead over Gorka Izagirre (Bahrain-Merida). He is followed by Christophe Laporte (Cofidis) and Julian Alaphilippe (Quick-Step) at eight and 10 seconds respectively.

Martin remains best placed of the Irish overall; in 21st place and in a large group of riders 15 seconds off yellow.

Tomorrow is 210km from Bourges to Châtel-Guyon. There’s a cat 3 ascent crested 22km from the finish. And there is a kick up to the finish line.

Dylan Groenewegen has been in great form. Above, just about to win Paris Nice 2018 stage 2.