Tipperary cyclist Sam Bennett continues his search for overdue victory
Carrick-on-Suir rider relegated after finishing second in third stage
Sam Bennett heads into today's time trial of the Critérium du Dauphiné in France hoping for a long overdue win.
The Carrick-on-Suir cyclist finished second in yesterday's third stage behind race leader Christophe Laporte (Jumbo Visma) but was later relegated.
He began his sprint towards the centre of the road but then moved right against the barriers, effectively closing the door on Matevž Govekar (Bahrain-Victorious) and Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco AlUla). The latter raised his hand in protest.
The result initially stood but some time after the finish, the race jury ruled that Bennett had broken the rules in deviating from his line. He was relegated to the back of the bunch, as was Groenewegen for also deviating from his line.
The 32-year-old has just one win to his credit this season, which came back in January, but has been knocking on the door several times, having finished runner-up four times and occupying third place on two occasions.
Today's time trial is a 31.1 kilometre individual test to Belmont de la Loire.