"I just didn't have good legs today" - Sam Bennett settles for second in opening sprint of 2024 Criterium du Dauphine

Sprint opportunities are few and far between at the 2024 Criterium du Dauphine. As such, there was extra pressure on Sam Bennett in the opening stage sprint. Despite a solid showing, it was eventually second place for the Irishman behind Mads Pedersen.

"The guys did a fantastic job," Bennett, who recently dominated at 4 Jours du Dunkerque, bagging himself four stage wins and the overall general classification triumph in the process. "They were super calm and collected and they did a great job controlling all day and placing me in the final. In the end, it was me. I just didn't have the legs today."

In a frantic finale, the pace was incredibly high with the race split across the road into different trains as they went through the Flamme Rouge. The Lidl-Trek team took control at the very front, with Bennett winning the fight for position on Mads Pedersen's back wheel. Once the sprints launched however, the 33-year-old Irishman couldn't quite come over his Danish sprint rival and it was Pedersen who moved into the Maillot Jaune via the stage win.