Cycling: George Bennett continues the successful series of Jumbo - Visma. The New Zealander won the Gran Piemonte one-day race after an impressive attack ahead of Diego Ulissi and Mathieu van der Poel. The German Simon Geschke presented himself in good form as fifth.
Over 40 degrees Celsius in the shade
Four escapees escaped today's Gran Piemonte. Besides the German Philip Walsleben (Alpecin – Fenix) showed the Americans Joey Rosskopf (CCC), the Dane Mikel Honore (Deceuninck – Quick-Step) and the Australian Callum Scottson (Mitchelton-Scott) on offense. From the start in Santo Stefano Belbo to the finish in Barolo, the pros had to cover 187,0 undulating kilometers. However, not only the profile was a challenge, but also the heat. At over 40 °Celsius in the shade, outliers increased Callum Scottson off the bike about 50 kilometers from the finish. His former companions fought back bravely, but were caught 7,5 kilometers from the finish.
George Bennett in top form
When the runaways were put, went George Bennett (Jumbo – Visma) went on the offensive when it started to rain. The peloton promptly disintegrated into its individual parts. Nobody could follow the New Zealander. A strong chasing group formed behind them Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Fenix). But there was simply disagreement. Much to the delight of the leader, who will probably act as a noble helper for his teammate Primoz Roglic at the Tour de France. Only in the last few meters did the pursuers come close again. However, George Bennett did not let the victory be taken from him. Rank two gets himself Diego Ulissi (UAE). Strong fifth is the German Simon Geschke (CCC).
One-day races in Piedmont since 1906
The Gran Piemonte one-day race has been held in the Piedmont region of Italy since 1906. The pros are actually cycling for victory here in mid-October, but the race was brought forward to this Wednesday due to the corona pandemic. Well-known drivers have already entered the list of winners here, including Alfredo Binda, Gino Bartali, Eddy Merckx, Francesco Moser, Roger De Vlaeminck, Richard Virenque and Philippe Gilbert. In 1966 and 1988, Rudi Altig and Rolf Gölz also achieved two German successes. In 1993 the Swiss Beat Zberg triumphed. Last year's winner was not there this time Egan Bernal (Ineo). The Colombian will be at the start of the parallel Critérium du Dauphiné.