Sam Bennett took his first career victory in a World Tour one-day race in spectacular fashion, winning the 45th Driedaagse Brugge-De Panne by several bike lengths after a dominant lead-out from his Deceuninck – Quick-Step teammates.
The 30-year-old, who has enjoyed a scorching start to his season - winning four of the six bunch sprints he contested since kicking off his campaign in February - was the outright favourite and proved on the finishing straight why he carried this tag going into the race.
His team led through the final left-hand corner, having been brought top the front by Florian Sénéchal and Bert Van Lerberghe. Bennett had Michael Mørkøv for company with 200 meters to go and once he came off the wheel of the experienced Dane, he launched a sprint that gave absolutely no chance to Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Fenix) and Pascal Ackermann (Bora-hansgrohe).
The Carrick-On-Suir man won by several bike lengths, just as he did at the UAE Tour and Paris-Nice, notching up his fifth victory of the season. By doing this, Sam became the sixth different Deceuninck – Quick-Step rider in ten years to win the Belgian race.
“It’s a great day for me and the team. Winning a World Tour one-day race was something I’ve been chasing for many years and I’m very happy to get it here today. The guys did a fantastic job, remained calm and worked hard for this result the entire day. I can’t thank them enough for this. In the last meters, I didn’t focus on anyone else, just did my sprint and now I’m happy with this win, important for us but also for our Belgian sponsors. The confidence is high in the team, which is excellent ahead of our next races”, an elated Sam said after his success.
DE PANNE, BELGIUM - MARCH 24: Podium / Sam Bennett of Ireland and Team Deceuninck - Quick-Step Celebration, during the 45th Oxyclean Brugge - De Panne 2021, Men Classic a 203,9km race from Brugge to De Panne / Trophy / Mask / Covid Safety Measures / #OxycleanClassic / on March 24, 2021 in De Panne, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)
