Friday 12th August 2022:  After disappointment yesterday George Bennett took a fine 3rd place on stage 3 of the Tour de L’Ain with the Kiwi rider attacking the favourites group on the short but hilly stage from Plateau d’Hauteville to Lélex (131km).

 

Bennett had misfortune yesterday when his rear derailleur became blocked when an ice sock became caught in it. Carrying this forward to the final stage he had a clean run at stage 3 and attacked the leaders group in pursuit of lone leader and eventual stage winner Antonio Pedrero (Movistar).

 

The 32 year old climber would be joined by Harry Sweeny (Lotto-Soudal) with the duo forging a gap ahead of the yellow jersey group led by race leader Guillaume Martin (Cofidis), and pulling out time on the other favourites.

 

Bennett finishes the race in 7th overall with Martin taking the win as the team prepares to continue on French soil next week for the Tour de Limousin.

 

Bennett: “ I really enjoyed this race. I felt good but I’m a bit disappointed with the result. I had some bad luck yesterday when I got something caught in my rear derailleur in the last big climb and I wasn’t able to make back the time today but these things can happen, I still enjoyed racing here with a good group of guys who helped me a lot on every stage.“

 

Tour de L’Ain stage 3 results

1.Antonio Pedrero (Movistar) 3:28:40

2.Harry Sweeny (Lotto-Soudal) +1:18

3.George Bennett (UAE Team Emirates) s.t

 

Tour de L’Ain Final General classification

1.Guillaume Martin (Cofidis) 10:34:43

2.Mattias Skejlmose Jensen (Trek-Segafredo) +6”

3.Rudy Molard (Groupama-FDJ) +8”

7.George Bennett (UAE Team Emirates) +29”