Sam Bennett claims fifth in European Championship road race

Sam Bennett just missed out on the medal places after earning a fifth-place finish in the men's road race at the European Championships in Munich.

The Carrick-on-Suir rider was part of the breakaway in the final sprint to the line but could not force his way into the top three as the Netherlands' Fabio Jakobsen snatched victory in a time 4:38:49 in a tight finish between the leading pack of 22.

France's Arnaud Demare was second ahead of Belgium's Tim Merlier. Fourth went to Jakobsen's Dutch compatriot Danny van Poppel.

Sam Bennett has finished fifth in the men's road race at #Munich2022 after a thrilling conclusion: https://t.co/VNN9KJ8ZJi #rtesport pic.twitter.com/fAfIVCfi5P

Bennett's Ireland team-mates Rory Townsend and Ryan Mullen finished 40th and 71st respectively, while Eddie Dubar was 89th.

One of the pre-race favourites, Pascal Ackermann of Germany, was unable to finish after a heavy crash into the railings.

In track cycling, Orla Walsh has made it into the last-16 of the women's sprint after posting a time of 10.900 in qualifying, which placed her 13th overall.