Early attack pays off as Bennett wins at Imola

Sam Bennett of Ireland pulled off a superb final attack to win the 12th stage of the Giro d’italia as Simon Yates remained in the overall lead yesterday.

Bennett began his sprint along way out to storm past MatejM oh oric and Carlos Betancur, and claim his second victory of the race at a wet finish to the 214- kilometre route from Osimo to the motorspor t circuit of Imola.

“I saw two guys ahead, my team had done so much work for me and I couldn’t let them down. I just went for it ,” said Bennett, who rides for Bora- Hansgrohe.

“I looked back when I saw how far away the line was. I didn’t know if I would make it but I kept going and I pulled it off.”

Danny van Po pp el was second, just ahead of Niccolo Bonifazio.

The general cl as si fi cation was unchanged as Yates retained his 47- second advantage over defending champion Tom Dumoulino ft he Netherlands. Thibaut Pinot is third, 1: 04 behind the British cyclist.

“I guess these were favourable weather conditions for an Englishman. And also for an Irishman!” Yates said.

The stage was meant to be a relatively easy one before the race hits the mountains this weekend, but rain and hail in the final 30 kilometres and the one classified climb of the day added to the drama.

Tim Well en sat tacked with just over 20 kilome - tres remaining and built a lead of 23 seconds before being caught. There were more attacks before Diego Ul is si made a move and took Betancur with him.

Mohoric then bridged the gap before they dropped Ulissi and had an advantage of four seconds heading into the race circuit for the second and final time.

Bennett caught everyone by surprise by making his early move, surging into the lead with 400 metres remaining and holding on to become the first Irish cyclist to win two road stages of the Giro.

Another mainly flat stage is scheduled to day, a 180- kilometre leg from Ferrar a to Nerves a della Battaglia.