Deceuninck – Quick-Step Floors Cycling Team (Australia) - Press Release: The brilliant work of the Wolfpack concluded with the Irishman claiming the win in Tanunda.

Sam Bennett got off to the perfect start to his time with Deceuninck – Quick-Step, taking his first ever victory in the Tour Down Under after a hectic and messy sprint in Tanunda, where the race returned after seven years. Bennett was the first of the sprinters to launch the sprint, with around 250 meters to go, and immediately showed his fast turn of legs, dashing to the line and convincingly holding off the charge of his rivals.

“I’d be lying if I’d say I didn’t feel the pressure to get that first win. I am very happy it came today, on the very first stage of the season’s first race, and I can’t thank my incredible teammates enough, because the result is down to their amazing effort”, an over the moon Sam said after the finish.

The closing kilometers of the stage delivered another Deceuninck – Quick-Step masterpiece, our team taking the front of the peloton early and bringing Sam into position on the left side of the road. They then gradually eased off the pace before ramping up the speed again, with the flamme rouge in sight. As soon as Iljo Keisse finished stretching the field out, Shane Archbold took over and opened the way for Michael Mørkøv, whose impeccable lead-out left Sam in a perfect position.

Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele/ Getty Images.