Carrick On Suir man Sam Bennett has continued his fantastic start to 2021, claiming the opening stage of Paris-Nice.
Heading into the first stage, the challenge was expected to come from French rider Arnaud Démare and even though the Groupama-FDJ rider came across the line in second, Bennett had a comfortable two bike lengths of a lead to allow him enough time to stretch his arms and celebrate crossing the line.
He takes the yellow jersey and the points classification into Stage 2 from Oinville-sur-Montcient to Amilly, with another chance on offer for a stage win.
Picking up where he left off at the UAE Tour, Bennett is showing the rest of the peloton why he is the sprinter to watch for the year, especially with his Tour De France green jersey resting comfortably over the mantlepiece.
Victoire de @Sammmy_Be !!!! 🥇#ParisNice pic.twitter.com/rIJd6X2oem
— Paris-Nice (@ParisNice) March 7, 2021
What a sprint, @Sammmy_Be!
What a sprint 🤩 pic.twitter.com/JNZxV1mCP6— Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (@qst_alphavinyl) March 7, 2021
