Bennett: Froome out of the equation

Chris Froome’s struggles have increased George Bennett’s topfive chances at the Giro d’Italia.

The LottoNL-Jumbo rider is in seventh place on the general classification standings after nine stages, 1min 33sec behind leader Simon Yates.

Speaking on yesterday’s rest day, Bennett said Yates has emerged as the new race favourite, while defending champion Tom Dumoulin, who is just 38 seconds off the pace in third place, is still a major threat, especially with a time trial still to come, as is ‘‘dark horse’’ Thibaut Pinot.

However, Bennett said Tour de France champion Froome, who is 2min 27sec back in 11th place, ‘‘is basically out of the equation’’ after he lost significant time on stage nine.

‘‘It’s a super high level here. You look at the start list and it’s super competitive, and if you’re not at 100 per cent then it just shows that a little bit off the pace can make such a big difference in time,’’ Bennett said.

Froome’s struggles should benefit Bennett, who is vying to become the first Kiwi to finish in the top-10 at the Giro d’Italia, as it is another major contender he won’t have to worry about.

‘‘[Froome] said he wanted to ride into it and be really good in the last week, but if you lose three minutes in the first week or whatever then it’s pretty hard to come back."

‘‘It’s always good to see guys crack, I always like it. It is a good thing.’’

Although Bennett was furious with himself for losing 26 seconds on Yates and his Michelton-Scott team-mate Esteban Chavez on the stage six climb up Mount Etna, he is ultimately happy with his position after the first nine stages.

‘‘I was really disappointed after that one but it’s not all bad. You’re just frustrated when you think you’re in with a sniff. I think it makes it worse when you miss out,’’ he said.

Bennett is now eyeing Saturday’s brutal climb up Monte Zoncolan. With a gradient topping out at 22 per cent, he said the stage could be a ‘‘big shake up’’ for the general classification contenders.

‘‘What it’s going to boil down to in Rome is in the next two weeks not having a bad day, especially in the mountains. It’s all about keeping calm and being super switched on.’’