Bennett takes it
Bora-Hansgrohe made things as difficult as they could for the Irishman in the last week of the Tour, but Bennett didn’t budge. For the first time since 1989 the Škoda Green Jersey is going to Ireland. And for the first time since 2012 Peter Sagan arrived in Paris without it.
Bennett sealed the points classification in the intermediate sprint, which Sagan decided not to take part in. After that they met in a bunch sprint on the Champs-Élysées. The Irishman launched early with about 350 metres left and despite clinging on his wheel, the Slovak was unable to get past. And thus, the 29-year-old Deceuninck – Quick-Step pro has realised another one of his dreams. He won on the Champs-Élysées. Mads Pedersen, the reigning world champ, finished second, and Peter Sagan crossed the line in third place.
“I can’t tell you how excited I am,” Bennet told the reports at the finish. “The green jersey, the Champs-Élysées, the World Championships of sprinting. I never thought I’d ever be able to win this stage. And to do it in green is so special.”
In the end, Bennett won with 380 points. Will Peter Sagan come back stronger next year? Or are his days in the Škoda Green Jersey numbered? What do you think? Let us know!
Final points classification
1. Sam Bennett (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) – 380 points
2. Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) – 284 pts
3. Matteo Trentin (CCC Team) – 260 pts
4. Bryan Coquard (B&B Hotels-Vital Concept) – 181 pts
5. Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) – 181 pts
