Ireland's Sam Bennett has been denied a first stage win on the Tour de France.
The Deceuninck–Quick-Step rider was pipped to the line by Caleb Ewan in a sprint finish to Sisteron on stage 3.
Bennett's Quick Step teammate Julian Alaphilippe retains the leader's yellow jersey.
It was Peter Sagan that made the first move as the sprinters zeroed in on the Provencal town, but the finish quickly morphed into a head-to-head between Ewan and Bennett.
Close but no cigar, great sprint by @CalebEwan . Congrats buddy 🤜🏻
— Sam Bennett (@Sammmy_Be) August 31, 2020
The Aussie produced speeds of 68.8km/h inside the last 500m to claim his fourth ever stage victory.
It's quite the turnaround for the Lotto-Soudal man, who finished last on stage 2.
Here's a detailed look at @CalebEwan's incredible sprint as he took the stage win in Sisteron 🔎
Revivez, vu du dessus, l'incroyable slalom de Caleb Ewan pour s'imposer à Sisteron. 🔎#TDF2020 pic.twitter.com/nVuWjyG4hB— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) August 31, 2020
Speaking with reporters after the race, Bennett lamented the fact that he's become a de facto pace-setter for other sprinters.
"It's always guys are looking for my wheel," a breathless Bennett said, "[I] can't go first, so I just gave the guys another lead-out".
It's frustrating for the Waterford sprinter, who was beaten into fourth on the opening day in Nice.
He wasn't helped by the windy conditions in Sisteron, saying the headwind allowed Ewan to come off his wheel for the win.
Tomorrow will be a day for Bennett to tuck in and help protect Alaphilippe's lead, as the fourth stage finishes with a first category climb to the ski resort of Orcieres-Merlette.
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