Sam Bennett (Bora Argon 18) had an impressive start to his classics campaign today when he finished in 19th place at Kuurne Brussels Kuurne. However, it was not so much his placing that impressed, but the fact that he made it into an earlier break with many big names.

A group of 20 split from the peloton on the climb of the Côte de Trieu, and this group contained the likes of Tom Boonen and Mark Cavendish (Etixx Quick Step), Philippe Gilbert (BMC Racing), Elia Viviani (Team Sky) and Alexandre Kristoff (Katusha). Bennett and his team mate Scott Thwaites also made it into this group, and at one stage, it looked the race would be won by somebody from this group.

Unfortunately the chasing peloton, led by MTN Qhubeka, closed the gap to this leading group so the day was decided by a big bunch sprint.

Mark Cavendish (Etixx-Quickstep) won the bunch sprint ahead of Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and Elia Viviani (Sky). Bennett crossed the finish line in 19th place.

“That was a real good race for us today,” said Bora Argon 18 Directeur Sportif Andre Schulz. “We focused totally on the Kwaremont and we definitely wanted be part of a big group that was very likely to go there. Daniel did a good job, placing Sam and Scott in exactly that group. The guys really raced excellent today. A top result was really possible for us, if that front group would have made it to the finish. But unfortunately not all teams were interested.”

“Then we got strong headwind after the climbs and some teams put the pressure on in the chase. So a big field came back together. Sam and Scott did everything to be in the front group. We staked everything on this one card and it was the right decision. On the downside, after their effort the guys didn’t have the power for a mass sprint in the end.”

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