Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe) outsprinted Danny van Poppel (Team Sky) and Scott Sunderland (IsoWhy Sports – SwissWellness) to the top step of the podium at Race Melbourne on Thursday. The Australia Day circuit race hosted on the Formula 1 course in Melbourne’s Albert Park serves as a prelude to Sunday’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
“I’m extremely happy,” said Bennett. “To get the first win of the season is really nice, and it takes the pressure off a bit.”
The Irishman has enjoyed support from the German-registered squad throughout the Australian summer. He was led out by the rainbow jersey, teammate Peter Sagan, in the People’s Choice Classic to finish second to Caleb Ewan (Orica-Scott). Bennett sprinted to third on the first stage of the Tour Down Under.
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“I’d like to thank [team manager] Ralph [Denk] and Bora-Hansgrohe for setting up a great race program and supporting us here and also to my teammates who supported me all day,” said Bennett. “They did a fantastic job and they got me out of trouble, even in the last three corners.”
The men’s peloton averaged nearly 49-kilometres per hour over the 22-lap, 116-kilometre race. Two large breakaways dominated the two-hour and twenty minute effort.
“It was fast,” said Tom-Jelte Slager (Cannondale-Drapc), who rode in service of teammate Tom Van Asbroeck. “The sweet spot was around 20th wheel, but it was windy enough that if you were on the front or the back, you were working hard.”
A group of 15 riders slipped away on the first lap including Sky pair Luke Rowe and Kenny Ellisonde, Esteban Chaves Orica-Scott), Will Clarke (Cannondale-Drapac), Peter Stetina (Trek-Segafredo) and Calvin Watson (Aqua Blue Sport). The group cooperated, with every rider contributing to the pace-making, but the peloton was unwilling to allow more than a 30-second gap. By lap six, the race had come back together.
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