Ill Bennett pulls out of Paris-Nice

BORA-HANSGROHE’s Irish sprinter Sam Bennett was forced to withdraw from Paris-Nice during yesterday’s Stage 3.

The team reported that Bennett had been sick overnight and pulled out at the feedzone. However, with an individual time trial on the cards today before the race hits the hills, the Carrick-on-Suir rider’s chances of a stage win were slim.

Frenchman Jonathan Hivert won yesterday’s stage with Astana’s Luis Leon Sanchez moving into the overall leader’s jersey. The duo broke clear with Remy Di Gregorio 20km from the finish to battle it out for the stage honours.

Ireland’s Daniel Martin lost time to the Spaniard but is just 43 seconds off his lead.