Finally a bunch sprint and a first Irish win in the UCI calendar 2021!
The last 20 kilometers of the 204 km flat course was a tussle for a bunch sprint. The nervousness in the peloton increased visibly. All the big names made their way forward. Ackermann was the first to start but was soon overruled by Sam Bennett, his teammate Michael Morkov of Deceuninck-Quickstep delivering Sam to the front of the bunch. The Irishman dived into a hole along near the Nadar gates and sprinted authoritatively to victory. Only the young Dutchman David Dekker came close, but he too had to bow his head. With at least 2 more possibilities for a bunch sprint, Sam could add to his tally with 2 more flat stages end week!! (feature photo courtesy of Deceuninck-Quickstep Twitter page, the photo above from @gettysport)
