‘I’ve always believed I could come back’ – Sam Bennett celebrates back-to-back victories
Irish rider Sam Bennett celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the third stage of the '4 jours de Dunkerque'. Photo: Getty
Sam Bennett made it back-to-back victories on the 4 Jours de Dunkerque stage race today, claiming stage three in a mass bunch sprint into Bouchain.
The Carrick-on-Suir sprinter (33) began the day in the pink jersey of race leader of the six-day French stage race and increased his lead to eight seconds over Milan Fretin of Cofidis after winning the dash to the line after 165km of racing. Bennett’s second stage win in three days means he also leads the points classification while his Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team head the team classification.
“We had a different plan for today, we were able to adapt in the final and show our experience to control the situation,” said Bennett, who recorded his first win of the season on Wednesday's second stage.
“With the team, we made decisions quickly and they were the right ones, which enabled me to sprint in very good conditions. We've got good momentum and I think there will be more good results to come.
“I'm here to win races and I hope to come back to the Tour de France to show that I'm still capable of winning. I've always believed I could come back and I'm going to keep believing in myself."
Former Irish champion Rory Townsend finished ninth on today’s stage and is now 10th overall, 24 seconds off Bennett’s race lead.
Meanwhile, Julian Alaphilippe produced a stunning ride to win stage 12 of the Giro d'Italia. The two-time world champion and Soudal-Quick-Step rider broke away alongside Mirco Maestri with two thirds of the 193km stage still to go.
He dropped the Polti-Kometa rider in the latter stages and held out for a maiden stage victory.
“I didn't plan it, I was expecting a big group to be in the breakaway,” Alaphilippe said. “First I have to thank my team-mates who really controlled the first 60km. Afterwards I was really focused to be in the front.
"Until the last kilometre I had to keep pushing. It was my dream to win a stage in the Giro and I did it. I'm really happy.”
Jhonatan Narvaez (Ineos-Grenadiers) finished second with Quinten Hermans (Alpecin-Deceuninck) grabbing third, while an exhausted Maestri finished ninth.
Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) held on to his lead in the general classification standings after coming in with the rest of the chasing pack, with Britain's Geraint Thomas still sitting third overall.
