Update: Sam Bennett has been relegated to 33rd, Danny van Poppel takes 10th
"When I had to go, I really didn't have much to give" - Perfect leadout but tough pill to swallow for Sam Bennett who gets outsprinted and then relegated
CyclingTuesday, 06 June 2023 at 20:30
Sam Bennett showed decent legs over the opening stages of the Criterium du Dauphiné but when the time came to fight for the win he didn't have the legs. The BORA - hansgrohe rider couldn't take the win, but to add insult to the injury was then relegated.
"I felt the two last days in the legs. I had a difficult moment in the middle of the race, during the climb," the BORA - hansgrohe rider admitted in a post-race interview. "But afterwards, it came back together. The boys did a fantastic job in the final. Unfortunately, when I had to go, I really didn't have much to give."
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BORA stayed towards the front all throughout the final kilometers and the leadout in the end was perfect, with two riders delivering him to the holeshot into the sprint. However when it came the moment to strike he didn't have the power and was beaten by Christophe Laporte. After analyzing the finish, both he and Dylan Groenewegen were relegated from the final sprint, with Bennett losing his second place on the day.
"I had the first two stages in my legs. It's a shame , but tactically the boys did a great job," he concluded. Unfortunately for the Irishman, he shouldn't have another day to contest for a stage. He has the option now of remaining in the race in order to build up some form over the mountainous days, in what should be his final preparation race ahead of the Tour de France - unless he takes part in the national championships.
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