Sam Bennett begins healing process

Dan Martin stayed right in the hunt for a podium finish at the Tour de France over the weekend as crash victim Sam Bennett got some way “back on track” in the hunt for stage wins.

The latter might be last on general classification after a harrowing opening two weeks where injuries sustained on the opening day meant his biggest challenge was just making the time limit each day.

But on Saturday he showed that he’s getting back to the form that could yet see him push for a win before the race concludes in Paris on Sunday. He was 12th on the 14th stage won by Mark Cavendish, the Manxman riding for Dimension Data taking his Tour tally to 30 as he closes in on Eddy Merckx’s record of 34.