Bennett hints at the shift of the team after his seventh stage win

Sparkling Sam Bennett earned his seventh win of the year on the world circuit at the third stage of the Critérium du Dauphine and later revealed he was in talks with other teams about a departure from Bora -Hansgrohe at the end of the season.

Bennett has "offers on the table" after being frustrated by the German team, which has overlooked the 28-year-old Giro d'Italia and Tour de France, in favor of fellow sprinters Pascal Ackerman and Peter Sagan.

"I'm just talking to the teams and I'm trying to find the teams that will support me the best and give me the racing program I'm looking for," said Carrick-on-Suir man, who knows his most successful season of the season. pack. "I want to progress as a runner and I think there are some offers on the table.

"I want to be able to show myself and I do not want to be stuck behind other riders." "It's a tough decision, but there are a few options." Time is running out, of course, but I'm not sure. I just need to see, I'm not rejuvenated and I feel that I'm getting into my best years and it's important that the doors are open.I'm doing pretty well in stage races and I just want to I just want to continue the consistency and continue to improve as a runner. "

However, his Bora-Hansgrohe team did the perfect job of winning the 177 km stage between Le Puy-en-Velay and Riom. They had one breakaway for two men with 12 km remaining before Bennett was led to leader's position by leader Shane Archbold in the last kilometer.

While the Kiwi offered the Irishman an armchair in the last sprint, Bennett's gallop until the straight left Wout van Aert of Jumbo-Visma to lag behind a bike length behind. in second place, followed by Davide Ballerini, Astana, third.

"After a relatively easy day, it was a pretty chaotic finale," smiled Bennett. "I was a little worried about the condition of my legs after the last two days, and then it was so cold during the stage.You'll always feel bad when it's so cold." Last moment, Shane said, "I'm always good, are you still on my wheel? and he hit and took me 200 meters to go. "

Bennett kicked the wheel of his teammate and had time to lift both arms in the air at the finish line.

"I still find it harder when I'm the sprint reference point," Bennett admitted of his favorite's keyword. "When there are other sprinters with full trains, it is easier to gauge where to get away, but today, they were looking where I was." I found it was difficult, but I had tremendous legs and power at the end. "

Independent Irish