Video - Sam Bennett sprints to first podium result of comeback

Sam Bennett, far left, takes his first podium result since coming back to racing after his health issues during the winter (Photo: Dario Belingheri-Getty Images)

Irish sprinter Sam Bennett (Pinarello Q36.5) has taken his first podium result since his delayed start to the season after a atrial fibrillation last November.

The 35-year-old was in the thick of it in the closing stages at Région Pays de la Loire Tour (2.Pro) today, taking 3rd placed behind winner Ethan Veron (NSN Pro Cycling) and runner-up Erlend Blikra (Uno-X Mobility).

However, aside from taking a result - and producing a really strong kick to the line in Les Sables-d'Olonne - his performance will also settle any nerves or doubts that he had after a tricky health episode during the off-season.

Bennett began today’s stage 2 sprint on the wheel of Vernon, who was in yellow after winning yesterday's opener. However, Gianluca Pollefliet (Decathlon CMA CGM) then managed to slot in behind Vernon, at the expense of the Irishman.

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That loss of position, just before the sprint started, proved costly for Bennett. The Irishman looked very fast when he kicked and may have won the stage had he been on Vernon's wheel.

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In the end, there was very little between the top three as they crossed the line, which is very good news for Bennett, and should boost his confidence for the two stages to come.

While they will both be contested on hillier terrain than today and yesterday, when Bennett was 18th, they could still end in sprints as the climbs are relative modest.

Bennett is now up to 8th in the general classification, after picking up a four-second time bonus for 3rd place today. He is 16 seconds behind race leader Vernon.

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