Bennett the target as large group plan last-day assault

Sam Bennett holds a 16-second advantage over Dillon Byrne (Maxgear Champions Systems) going into the final stage of the Suir Valley 3-Day today.

The An Post Chain Reaction rider has been in brilliant form over the last two days and though he hasn’t actually won any of the three stages to date, he’s made all the right breaks and is the man to beat.

It’s going to be anything but straightforward for him, however, because the top 11 riders on general classification are separated by just one minute and with seven teams represented amongst the top 10, Bennett will need to be alert over today’s 130km test from Clonmel to The Nire.

But Bennett is in awesome form and showed that yesterday when he soloed across a 40-second gap on testing roads close to his home, and when he bridged across, he drilled a furious pace at the front to maximise the time gained on his rivals.

Yesterday’s second stage, a morning 92km trek starting and finishing in Clonmel, was won by Bennett’s team-mate Jack Wilson from Ed Laverty (Rapha Condor JLT) and Art McManusa (South Dublin) after they had been part of a 16-man group that jumped away with around 25km to go.

Last night saw the riders tackle a criterium race around the streets of Clonmel, a race won by Shane Archbold (An Post).

One rider who Bennett and his team really need to keep an eye on is former Sean Kelly professional Paidi O’Brien, now riding with amateur team Planet Tri Racing.

O’Brien won Saturday’s opening stage and currently lies fifth overall at 53 seconds and he could yet swoop in to win a race that has eluded him so far in his career.