La Vuelta 2022: 'No one could touch him' - Reaction to 'phenomenal' Sam Bennett's sprint triumph in Utrecht

Sam Bennett's «phenomenal» sprint victory on Stage 2 of La Vuelta a Espana for Bora-Hansgrohe showed that «no one could touch him», The Breakaway team said on their reaction show. Bennett stormed to an inspired victory in what was a thrilling sprint in front of a raucous crowd in Utrecht. The in-form Tim Merlier (Alpecin-Deceuninck) was tipped by many to edge the final sprint, but it was the Irishman who prevailed in a desperate burst to the line as the 31-year-old took a very memorable win.

Ad Mads Pedersen took second place for Trek-Segafredo, while Merlier had to settle for third place to round out the podium after what was a wild finish to the day's racing. Bennett's remarkable triumph was analysed and praised on The Breakaway. Vuelta a España'Sam Bennett is back!' — Watch thrilling sprint finish to Stage 2 of La Vuelta3 HOURS AGO «It is phenomenal and I think we are all incredibly pleased for him,» Dan Lloyd said.

«You look at the season he has had back at Bora-Hansgrohe and think 'when is he going to start winning big races again?' »He would have been questioning himself, and he just needed that good run, preferably on the first sprint stage of the race because after that the floodgates may well open. «That is all you need as a sprinter because you do go through these droughts and a lot of it is mental rather than physical. He must have been in his own head.