Paris-Tours: Sam Bennett wraps up the season with a strong third place

The last race of the season for BORA - hansgrohe was today’s autumn classic Paris-Tours in France. 213.5 km between Chartres in the southwest of the French capital and Tours were on the program on the season’s final day of racing. With a total of 10 gravel sections and 8 punchy ramps, the main difficulties of the day came within the last 70km. An early breakaway of five riders was able to gain more than six minutes throughout the race. 60km from the finish, right at the first gravel section, Sam Bennett and K. Heiduk broke away from the peloton and started chasing the leading group. While Bennett, after an extremely strong performance, was brought back by the peloton ten kilometers from the finish, the breakaway’s remaining riders were caught in the final kilometre. Ultimately it all came down to a bunch sprint from a significantly reduced peloton where Sam Bennett was able to take 3rd and wrap up the season with a podium place. A. Démare claimed the victory today.

Result

01. A. Démare 4:53:01 

02. E. Theuns +0:00

03. S. Bennett +0:00

From the Finish Line

“I saw the opportunity to ride the gravel sections without too much fighting and I was lucky to have a strong group with me. We rode a good steady pace without many accelerations. We had a good recon yesterday which was crucial for today. In the end I’m super happy to finish the season on a high and on the podium.“ Sam Bennett

“We didn't want to rely on a bunch sprint today, so we tried to get up front with Sam Bennett right from the first gravel sector. He put in a really strong race in the chase group, while his teammates in the peloton paid close attention and were able to follow every attack. Of course, a win would have been possible and nice, but we are more than happy with a podium at the end of the season.” Jean-Pierre Heynderickx, Sports Director