George Bennett followed the best climbers during the second stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné today to Chalmazal-Jeansagnière, France. The Team LottoNL-Jumbo rider from New Zealand, however, lost 20 seconds due to a crash and finished 34th. Jesus Herrada (Movistar) won the day.

“He was able to follow the best riders,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said. “It’s a pity that he was involved in that crash in the final 500 metres of the stage. He didn’t crash himself, but he was bothered by it a lot.”

A couple of Team LottoNL-Jumbo riders took to the front of the peloton in the final kilometres towards the important penultimate climb of the second stage in the Criterium du Dauphiné. Moreno Hofland and Mike Teunissen led out Bennett to the foot of that climb so he could start the final part of the race in good position.

“There’s a great atmosphere in the team,” added Zeeman. “The guys want to help each other as much as possible although we don’t have a real leader this week. Today, they did the best they could for George. He delivered a strong race afterwards.”

On Wednesday, the attackers might have a chance in the third stage of the Criterium du Dauphiné to Tournon. “It will be a big fight to make the breakaway, but we want to compete in that fight,” Zeeman said. “We’re going to give it all to be part of the break.”