MOULINS, France (AFP) - Irishman Sam Bennett of the Bora team emerged victorious from an epic sprint finish on a long home straight at Moulins/Yzeure on Tuesday's stage three of the Paris-Nice cycling race.
Winner of the past two stages, flying Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen looked to be on his way to a third straight victory and while ultimately he could not keep pace with Bennett, the Jumbo rider kept the overall leader's yellow jersey.
Fabio Jakobsen was third ahead of Briton Dan McLay in fourth with French sprinter Bryan Coquard fifth.
Bennett came to prominence at last season's Giro where he won three stages and the powerful Bora man was unstoppable once in front, leaving Australia's Caleb Ewan grimacing in second.
********Sam Bennett (R) celebrates as he crosses the finish line ahead of Australia's Caleb Ewan (L) and Netherlands' Fabio Jakobsen.