Cycling news - Sam Bennett sprints to victory on stage 2

ByEurosport

Updated 10/10/2018 at 15:08 GMT

Sam Bennett produced a typical powerhouse performance to claim victory on stage two of the Tour of Turkey, a win that sees him take overall lead of the race.

Sam Bennett of Ireland and Team Bora-Hansgrohe Blue Leader Jersey Celebration / during the 54th Presidential Cycling Tour Of Turkey, Stage 2 a 149,6km stage from Antalya to Antalya.

Image credit: Eurosport

The Irish rider from Bora-Hansgrohe sped past Álvaro Hodeg in the final moments to deliver the stage for his team by a bike length. It his first victory since the Giro D'Italia.

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"I'm happy. It's a bit of a relief. I came here after a quiet mid-season. I won't say I can relax now but some of the pressure has gone. I'm really happy," said Bennett.

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"There are still some opportunities to come and the guys did a fantastic job today, as well. I really want to thank them.

"I was waiting for them [ed. Quick-Step] but in the finale I didn't really know if we'd caught the breakaway or not because with around 10km to go it was so dangerous that I just had to concentrate on what I was doing.

There was talking on the earpiece, and I would have liked to have put my hands up, but Quick-Step came with about 500-600m to go and it was perfect positioning. It's always good to get a victory going into the off-season. It keeps the morale high when you don't have much racing.

Bennett won four stages of the race in 2017 and, after finishing second on Tuesday's opening stage, won the dash for the line.

Bennett now leads by six seconds from stage one winner Max Richeze (QuickStep-Floors) ahead of Thursday's hilly 132.7km third stage from Fethiye to Marmaris.

Italy's Simone Consonni finished third for UAE Emirates in the 149.6 km stage between Alanya and Antalya.

Time bonuses mean Bennett holds the leader's blue jersey by six seconds from stage one winner Maximiliano Richeze.