Cycling: Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe) won the Münsterland Giro 2017. The Irishman narrowly won the photo finish in Münster ahead of the three Germans Phil Bauhaus (Sunweb), André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) and Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors).
The end of the German road season
After the amateurs had already taken to the track this morning, the pros set off shortly afterwards. There was no less than 197,7 kilometers to complete at this year's Münsterland Giro. It started at the end of the German road season in Wadersloh. Although four mountain classifications had to be crossed on the way, these could hardly pose any real problems for a driver. On the final three laps through the city center of Münster, the successor to John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) was sought, who was unable to start again due to his illness. Of course, some pilots have tried to break away before, including Tony Martin (Katusha-Alpecin).
45 km to go to the gap of the break with @tonymartin85 is now 00'45" to the peloton #MuensterlandGiro
— Team KATUSHA ALPECIN (@katushacycling) 3 October 2017
Tight decision in Munster
The group around Tony Martin was able to pull away, but didn't stay in front of the field for long. Some teams, including Bora-hansgrohe, Quick-Step Floors, LottoNL-Jumbo and Lotto Soudal kept the pace in the peloton so high they didn't stand a realistic chance. Eventually, the expected merger took place. A few kilometers before the finish, other drivers tried to find their luck in an escape, but the endeavor was hopeless. The sprinter teams left no doubt about a mass sprint. That's how it happened. In an extremely tight decision, three drivers crossed the finish line side by side. It took several minutes for the finish photo to provide information about the winner. The work of the German team Bora-hansgrohe was worth it, because their sprinter Sam Bennett was finally able to celebrate his victory at the Münsterland Giro 2017. He just got the better of the three Germans Phil Bauhaus (Sunweb), André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) and Marcel Kittel (Quick-Step Floors).
SK #Münsterland Giro
1. @Sammmy_Be (@BORAhansgrohe)
2. @PhilBauhaus (@TeamSunweb )
3. @AndreGreipel (@Lotto_Soudal)
📹@tweets_giro pic.twitter.com/LdGf5dCUah— Brain on Wheels 🚲 (@BrainOnWheels) 3 October 2017
The result of the Münsterland Giro 2017
| PLATZ | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sam Bennett | Ireland | Bora, hansgrohe | 4:35:27 |
| 2. | Phil Bauhaus | Germany | Sunweb | st |
| 3. | André Greipel | Germany | Lotto Soudal | st |
| 4. | Marcel Kittel | Germany | Quick Step Floors | st |
| 5. | Dylan Groenewegen | Netherlands | LottoNL Jumbo | st |
| 6. | Matteo Pelucchi | Italy | Bora, hansgrohe | st |
| 7. | alexander kristoff | Norway | Katusha Alpecin | + 0: 01 |
| 8. | Roy Jans | Belgium | WB Veranclassic Aqua Protect | st |
| 9. | Andre Looij | Netherlands | Roompot Nederlandse Loterij | st |
| 10 | Nicola Toffali | Italy | 0711|Cycling | st |