Sam Bennett sprinted to victory at the Tour de France today giving a rider from Ireland the podium for the first time since 1992

By Chuck Gibson (Interview quotes provided by Le Tour de France)

INTERNATIONAL (September 6, 2020) – Sam Bennett sprinted to a narrow victory at the finish of the Tour de France Stage 10 today.

Sam Bennett, from Ireland, in the green helmet corosses the finish line 1st for the Stage 10 win Tuesday in the TdF (Provided)

It was another fast pace race day despite some concerns about crosswinds. At the end Bennett claimed the stage victory in the TdF for the first time in his cycling career. It was also the first time a rider from Ireland has taken a stage win at the premier cycling race since 1992.

“I thought I would never win a Tour de France stage,” said Bennett. “I’m just in shock. I want to thank the whole team and particularly Patrick [Lefévère] who gives me this opportunity to be here. It has taken a while, but I always dreamt of winning a Tour de France stage and I couldn’t imagine what it’s like.”

He didn’t think it would happen, but just edged out favored sprinter Caleb Ewan. Both finished “same time” 3h 35’ 22” for the day. Bennett described the finish.

“In the sprint, I was waiting to go because there was a head wind,” Bennett said. “I thought maybe I waited too late. I had a too big gear for winning… but I won!”

Primoz Roglic held onto the Yellow Jersey for another day (Provided)

In the race for the overall lead and the Yellow Jersey, Primoz Roglic was well protected by his teammates on the Jumbo-Visma team. They kept him safely up front and away from any trouble the wind might have brought at the end. Roglic kept the Yellow Jersey and will ride a second straight day as the overall leader for Stage 11 Wednesday. 

 “I’m proud to deliver such results for Slovenia,” said Roglic. “It was a quite nervous and stressful stage, from the start all the way to the finish.”

He holds just a 21 second lead over the second place rider, last year’s Tour de France winner, Egan Bernal.

“A bit more wind and the race could have exploded,” said Bernal. “It’s been a very stressful day. All the teams had been warned that it could be windy.”

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