Sam Bennett fighting for Vuelta a Espana selection at Tour de Pologne - "I'm getting there"

Sam Bennett is working hard to once again show the form he has in past years, however it is being a complicated season for the BORA - hansgrohe rider, who is reaching another critical phase of his season as he attempts to gain a selection to the Vuelta a Espana.

He missed the contention for the stage win on stage one, and on the second day - where he finished second - he said it "was a chaotic sprint but there are so many sprint trains here, so many sprinters... I don't know how many sprinters are here but if you put that many egos into a race, including myself, it's always going to be a bit messy".

Over the year BORA have had a very set leadout with Danny van Poppel in the helm, however the Dutchman has went on to have his freedom as Bennett struggled to show form throughout most of the year. He has taken a win at Eschborn-Frankfurt, however his poor form saw him and BORA decide on missing on the Tour. He's looking to return to the Grand Tours in the Vuelta a Espana, however the path is not in any way easy.

With Jai Hindley, Sergio Higuita, Wilco Kelderman and Emanuel Buchmann all present as GC contenders the team will need to build itself over that goal, and unless the Irishman shows significant improvements over the coming two weeks he will spend his second consecutive year away from any Grand Tour.

"I'm getting there," Bennett argues however. "... But it's nearly there, the sensations are more normal, I can feel it's coming, but it could be just that one per cent, it clicks and it's there. It's taken a while, but it's not far away," he told Cyclingnews.

The Irish sprinter has not convinced yet in the Polish race, but will have an opportunity on the final day to succeed. Furthermore, the European Championships the following weekend may be his final shot to be a part of the Vuelta, albeit having to face a very strong sprinter field in Munich.