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#TourDeLaProvence #MadsPedersen #SamBennett #CyclingRace #ProCycling #SprintVictory #BikeRace #CyclingNews #CyclingHighlights #RaceLead #StageWin #Peloton #CyclingForm #CyclingSeason #CyclingAction
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In a dramatic turn of events at the Tour de la Provence, Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale) lost both time and the race leader’s jersey to Mads Pedersen (Lidl Trek) on Stage 2. Just a day after winning the opening stage, Bennett struggled on the challenging 167.3km route from Forcalquier to Manosque, which featured 2,430 meters of climbing. The Irish sprinter fell off the pace with about 30km remaining and finished in a large group 1:25 behind the leaders, dropping him to 20th overall at 1:30 down.
The stage was dominated by a late breakaway from Mads Pedersen and Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious), who attacked with 18km to go and held off the peloton to the finish. Pedersen, a former world champion, showcased his strong early-season form by out-sprinting Mohorič to claim the stage win and take the leader’s jersey. Mohorič finished second, four seconds behind Pedersen, with the peloton crossing the line 16 seconds later.
Pedersen now leads the general classification by 13 seconds over Mohorič, with Fred Wright (Bahrain Victorious) in third at 24 seconds. Although Bennett’s chances of regaining the overall lead are slim, the race concludes with a flat sprinters’ stage tomorrow, offering him an opportunity to compete for a stage win.
Other Irish riders in the race included Dillon Corkery (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber 93), who finished in the same group as Bennett, placing 50th, and Darren Rafferty (EF Education-EasyPost), who came in 67th, trailing by 7:03.
Pedersen’s victory highlighted his class and form, while Bennett’s struggles underscored the challenges of maintaining consistency in a race with mixed terrain. As the Tour de la Provence heads into its final stage, all eyes will be on the sprinters to see who can claim the day’s honors.
