Irishman Sam Bennett wins Stage 1 of the Tour Down Under in a photo finish in the Barossa Valley
Deceuninck-Quick-Step’s Irishman Sam Bennett has claimed the first stage of the Santos Tour Down Under in the Barossa Valley in a thrilling finish.
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Three years after coming to Adelaide in support of superstar Peter Sagan, Irish sprinter Sam Bennett has returned to the Tour Down Under as his team’s headline act and instantly delivered.
Bennett made the perfect debut for his new team Deceuninck-QuickStep by out-foxing and out-sprinting his rivals to win the 150km Stage 1 in Tanunda.
The 29-year-old held off Jasper Philipsen (UAE-Emirates) and Erik Basaka (Bora-Hansgrohe) while Australian Caleb Ewan was caught up in the final kilometre and unable to contest the win, finishing seventh.
Bennett was third on Stage 1 in Lyndoch three years ago when he was riding in support of Slovakian world champion Sagan at Bora-Hansgrohe.
But having moved teams to essentially replace Elia Viviani at QuickStep, he proved he could go it alone.
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“The only mistake made today was by myself because I left it too late and the guys got the jump on me and I found it hard to get the wheel back in front,” Bennett said post-race.
“It was definitely a result due to the team’s effort.
“Everybody did a fantastic job today and the lead-out was perfect.
“They took it up really early, controlled the front and just did a perfect job.”
The win means Bennett will start Stage 2 from Woodside to Stirling on Wednesday in the ochre jersey and is a realistic chance to defend it with a punchy uphill finish on the cards.
“I think the team has more confidence in me than I do in myself,” he said.
“Today the way they rode for me was absolutely amazing and I think that gives me confidence as well seeing how much effort they put into this result.
“It’s just great to have this (win) now.”
Ewan said he and his Lotto-Soudal lead-out were caught too far back when their rivals made their move on the long home straight and they would review video of the finale to work out how to correct it later this week.
reece.homfray@news.com.au
Originally published as Irishman Sam Bennett wins Stage 1 of the Tour Down Under in a photo finish in the Barossa Valley