Bennett Back on the Podium as Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling impresses at Tour of Britain
Sam Bennett sprinted to third place on Stage 2 of the Tour of Britain, marking a welcome return to the podium after a challenging season and capping a strong collective display from Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
The race came alive when crosswinds split the peloton, with Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling alert to the danger and well represented at the front. Bennett, Matteo Moschetti and Mark Donovan all made the decisive selection, putting the Team in a strong position as the race headed towards the finale.
With Donovan also moving up to 11th overall, attention turned to the stage result, where Bennett used his experience to position himself for the sprint and claimed an encouraging third place.
For the Irishman, the result represents another important step forward after a difficult year and confirmation that his speed and instinct in the bunch are returning.
Sam Bennett:
“When it went in the crosswinds, it was pretty full-on. Normally you might expect the split to come back, but a lot of teams had an interest in keeping it going and it became a really hard race.
“In the final I just tried to stay cool, wait for the right moment and make one move. Maybe I used a little too much energy in the crosswinds and didn’t quite have the sprint I wanted at the end. Of course, we always want to win, but I can feel that I’m getting stronger.
“I’m happy that I haven’t lost that feeling in the bunch sprints — knowing where to be and how to get there without using too much energy. I’m up there with some of the best guys at the moment and getting closer and closer. I just need that last bit to click now and hopefully the win will come soon.”
Moschetti backed up Bennett’s podium by taking fourth place, giving Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling two riders inside the top four after a demanding day of aggressive racing.
Matteo Moschetti:
“It was a really demanding day once the race split in the wind. We reacted well as a Team and managed to have several riders in the front group, which put us in a very good position for the final.
“Sam and I were both there to fight for the result and finishing third and fourth shows the strength we had today. There are still three stages to go and we want to keep racing aggressively and creating opportunities.”
With three stages still remaining, Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team leaves Stage 2 with a podium, two riders in the top four and Donovan sitting 11th overall — clear signs of intent in what has already been a fiercely contested edition of the Tour of Britain.
