Bennett bids to bring hot streak into Vuelta debut

Sam Bennett will make his debut in the Vuelta a Espana today when the three-week race rolls down the start ramp in the seaside city of Torrevieja, south of Alicante. The Carrick-on-Suir sprinter is enjoying the best year of his career with 11 professional victories and will start the race with the aim of adding to that tally — as well as having a tilt at the green points jersey.

The Vuelta, however, is not a race favoured by the fast men, and of the 21 stages, Bennett is likely to seriously challenge for just a handful.