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Caleb Ewan (Ineos Grenadiers) and Sam Bennett (Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale) both stomped to sprint wins Tuesday in a resurgence of two alpha sprinters from the pre-Pogačar era.
Ewan stormed to a clear victory – the 65th of his career – on stage 2 of the Itzulia Basque Country for his first WorldTour win in three years, and the 65th of his career.
Luca van Boven (Intermarché Wanty) and Bastien Trochon (Decathlon-Ag2r La Mondiale) were next to the line in Lodosa.
Victory on Tuesday in the Basque Country continues the Aussie’s return to form since his off-season transfer to Ineos Grenadiers.
The 30-year-old also won on his debut for the team in February at the Coppi e Bartali.
“Fortunately for me, there were no crosswinds today. A harder stage would not have been so good for me,” Ewan said at the finish after fears of echelons had rippled through the start paddock Tuesday morning. “I’m just happy it was straightforward today.
“This is the only stage here that realistically I could win this week,” Ewan continued. “There was a lot of pressure on me to deliver for this stage, but the team did a great job.
“They controlled from the start and did a great job getting me into position in the last few technical bits, then I just had to sprint.”
Maximillian Schachmann (Soudal Quick-Step) and João Almeida (UAE Emirates XRG) remain tied on time at the top of GC after they went equal-fastest in Basque’s opening stage time trial.
Région Pays de la Loire Tour – Étape 1
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Earlier in the day Tuesday, Bennett won the opening stage of the Région Pays de la Loire Tour for his third win of the year. The Irishman remains five in front of Ewan’s career total with 70 pro victories on his palmarès.
Bennett also took the first leader’s jersey of the four-day race.
Giovanni Lonardi (Team Polti VisitMalta) and Dillon Corkery (St Michel-Preference Home-Auber93) rounded out the podium of Tuesday’s opener of the 2.1 tour.
The Pays de la Loire may be a low-key win, but Bennett’s victory makes for a timely mojo boost before he lines out at the Giro d’Italia next month.
