"I am happy that I can repay" - Sam Bennett takes first win in 9 months

Sam Bennett has won a lot in the past, but in recent years he's struggled to obtain the victories he and Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale hoped for. The Irishman had last won at the 4 Jours de Dunkerque last spring and had been in a dry spell until today's Tour de la Provence stage.

"We went for the first victory of the season today. We expected a difficult opening phase, but I reached the top of the first climbs of the day with enough other riders," the sprinter said, showing good form in his third race day of the season. "After that, the guys did really great. It was incredibly tough, but we made it."

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Lidl-Trek looked to have full control of the race with Mads Pedersen in the leading group; Toms Skujins and Bauke Mollema as riders who could attack, but the decision to take things to a sprint allowed other riders to come into contention and return to the front group. "There was quite a lot of wind today, but that was actually an advantage for me. On the climbs, the wind was against us and that gave me the opportunity to ride up in a better group." Bennett came through in the final sprint.

Bennett sprinted to victory but didn't even celebrate. However he didn't explain why that was. "The team really rode great. I really have to thank them. I can still count on the support of the team, even after the Etoile de Bessèges. I am happy that I can repay this today with a victory," Bennett concluded.

This being the toughest stage of the race, it opens up the possibility of Bennett fighting for the overall win, perhaps mimicking the results of last year's 4 Jours de Dunkerque. Either ways, it is already a big boost of motivation and the team's first race of the season.

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