Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe) was back in racing action today – sprinting to 3rd place at Gree-Tour of Guangxi (2.UWT) in China – after a month-long break from competition, including missing the European Road Championships in the Netherlands.
While Bennett was denied victory today, by a fast-finishing Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers), the Irishman looked good in the gallop; making space for himself when he got boxed in and looking like his final kick to the line was the fastest of the sprinters.
He said afterwards he was content with his performance, and with the way he felt in the bunch sprint into Beihai, especially after his recent setback caused him to miss so much training.
“After a tough couple of weeks with sickness and so much missed training, I’m quite happy to be back on the podium here,” Bennett said. “Due to the wide roads and headwinds, we gambled a bit in the finale and had to come late.
“The boys did a perfect job moving up in the last 2.5km. 300m from the finish line, I was held up a tiny bit but we surfed our way through and I came out with good speed in the end. Kicking off a race with a podium is always nice.”
Bennett may get another shot at sprinting for a stage win as soon as tomorrow as the 149.6km stage from Beihai to Qinzhou is pan flat. The presence of a number of top flight sprinters – including Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny) and Olav Kooij (Jumbo Visma) – in the race means taking a victory will be a challenge. However, those riders will also have their teams working on the front to ensure a bunch sprint at every opportunity.
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