One day after netting third on the opening stage of the Arctic Race of Norway, Sam Bennett blasted home to a superb stage win in Setermoen.
The second year pro appeared too far back as the sprint started but unleashed a very rapid burst of speed and hit the line first, beating Federico Zurlo (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling) and stage one victor Alexander Kristoff (Team Katusha).
The result shows that he has progressed well after riding his first Tour de France. His win was his fourth of the season and confirms his status as one of the most exciting young sprinters in the sport.
“I was in a bad position but I just kept sprinting and going through gaps,” he said. “In the end the doors opened at the right time and I was able to take it. It feels great to win.”
He moves up to second overall, one second behind Kristoff, and remains the best young rider in the race.
Arctic Tour of Norway:
Stage 2, Evenskjer - Setermoen: 1, Sam Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) 155 kilometres in 3 hours 41 mins 5 secs; 2, F. Zurlo (UnitedHealthcare Pro Cycling); 3, A. Kristoff (Team Katusha); 4, M. Kolár (Tinkoff-Saxo); 5, D. Mclay (Bretagne-Séché Environnement); 6, F. Gerts (BMC Racing Team) all same time
Other Irish: 124, S. Clancy (Team Novo Nordisk) at 3 mins 56 secs
General classification after stage 2: 1, Alexander Kristoff (Team Katusha) at 8 hours 39 mins 26 secs; 2, S. Bennett (Bora-Argon 18) at 1 secs; 3, E. Boasson Hagen (MTN - Qhubeka) at 6 secs; 4, A. Capiot (Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise) at 13 secs; 5, M. Van Staeyen (Cofidis, Solutions Credits) at 15 secs; 6, N. Bonifazio (Lampre-Merida) same time
Other Irish: 122, S. Clancy (Team Novo Nordisk) at 9 mins 27 secs
