Sam Bennett Ends 31 Year Giro D’Italia Drought for Ireland

On Friday last (11 May) Sam Bennett broke our long, long Giro drought by winning a stage in the Giro d’Italia. It’s the first time an Irishman has won one since 1987.

Bennett snatched the victory from favourite Elia Viviani in Stage 7’s sprint finish in Praia a Mare. It’s the 27-year-old Tipperary cyclists first big victory in a grand tour. The last Irishman to win a stage in this iconic race was, of course, Stephen Roche in 1987.

Watch the sprint finish here:

‘That was genius timing!’ ?

Sam Bennett pips Elia Viviani to get his first ever Grand Tour stage win after a frantic sprint finish! ?#Giro101 pic.twitter.com/XtcSAWjULW

— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) May 11, 2018

As it stands in the general classification after stage nine, Simon Yates (GB/Mitchelton-Scott) is in the lead, Esteban Chaves (Col/Mitchelton-Scott) follows and in third place is Tom Dumoulin (Ned/Team Sunweb). Team Sky’s Froome is two minutes 27 seconds down in 11th place.

Ireland, your 31 year wait is over!

Thank you to everyone involved ?? pic.twitter.com/b31zy3JiEi

— Sam Bennett (@Sammmy_Be) May 11, 2018

Congrats Sam, from all of us here at Outsider HQ!

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