Irish sprinter Sam Bennett has been annpounced as part of the BORA-hansgrohe line-up for the forthcoming Giro d’Italia. It will be the Irishman’s second start at the Italian Grand Tour.
Bennett made his debut at the Giro last year and went close to a stage win on a number of occasions. On the thirteenth stage from Reggio Emilia to Tortona, he finished second behind Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors). In addition, he also took three third places and finished third in the points classification.
Joining Bennett in the BORA-hansgrohe team are Cesare Benedetti, Davide Formolo, Felix Großschartner, Patrick Konrad, Christoph Pfingsten, Andreas Schillinger and Rudi Selig.
Amongst other sprinters on the provisional start list who Bennett will be expected to face are Elia Viviani (Quick-Step Floors), Danny van Poppel (Team LottoNL-Jumbo) and Sacha Modolo (Team EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale).
The Giro starts on May 4 with a 9.7-kilometre time-trial in Jerusalem with two road stages in Israel before the race entourage moves to Italy for Stage Four, a 191-kilometre stage between Catania and Caltagirone on Sicily.
Next up for the Irishman is the Eschborn-Frankfurt – Rund um den Finanzplatz (1.UWT).
BORA-hansgrohe team for 101st Giro d’Italia
Cesare Benedetti
Sam Bennett
Davide Formolo
Felix Großschartner
Patrick Konrad
Christoph Pfingsten
Andreas Schillinger
Rudi Selig
Sport directors: Jens Zemke & Christian Pömer
