Bennett outlasts them all to prevail

Sam Bennett capped a brilliant overall victory in the Suir Valley 3-Day last night when he won the final stage on the punishing uphill finish just outside Clonmel.

The An Post Chain Reaction rider used the sprint that has earned him such a fearsome reputation as he blasted past second-placed Páidí O’Brien (Planet Tri) and Ryan Sherlock (Polygon sweet Nice).

The race had looked in some doubt for the Carrick on Suir rider as he came into the stage with just a 20-second lead on Rapha Condor JLT rider Hugh Carty and when the latter forged his way into a threatening five-man escape group in the latter part of the race, and built up a lead of 1minute 30seconds, Bennett looked in trouble.

But thanks to the efforts of his four team-mates, Jack Wilson, Ronan McLaughlin, Shane Archbold and Sean Downey as well as alloy Marcus Christie (Foyle CC), they chipped into the lead of the five men out front and by the time they hit the base of the final climb — the category one ascent of the Nire, it was all back together.

However, as the An Post riders proceeded to drop back — exhausted after their efforts, it was left to Bennett to do the business as he was left isolated in the final kilometres with just a handful of overall contenders.

One by one they attacked Bennett in the hope of wrestling the yellow jersey from his shoulders but each time, the three-time An Post Rás stage winner responded and he put the seal on his first stage-race win since his Junior Tour of Ireland win in 2009 by rounding the last bend and scorching to stage and overall honours.

“It’s a massive win for me and the team,” said Bennett after. “We were under pressure from everyone coming into the race, including ourselves, to do well so to get three stage wins and the overall, as well as the Points jersey and Hot Spots jersey, it’s been amazing. The team were incredible, each and every one of them, and Marcus (Christie) too, he came to our aid there today and we didn’t even ask him. I’m thrilled.”