George Bennett was the only Team LottoNL-Jumbo rider able to finish in the first group during the third stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné today. The rider from New Zealand finished 35th in the group with Fabio Aru (Astana) racing into Tournon solo for the win.

The escapees could not gain much space during the third stage. The group nailed them down with 26 kilometres to go. Team LottoNL-Jumbo hit the front en masse at that moment, but only Bennett was able to survive the Cote de Sécheras.

The sprinters will have their last chance in the fourth stage on Thursday to Belley. “The finish is slightly uphill,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said. “That’s interesting for many riders. I don’t think Moreno Hofland is one of the favourites to win the stage, but we’re going to do our best to bring him in the right position.”