Bennati wins the time trial in Angers

Daniele Bennati (Leopard Trek) has found a way to avoid being beaten: racing alone against the clock and using his speed to win.

After his sixth second place of the season in the morning road stage, the Italian sprinter won the first time trial of his career at the Circuit Cycliste Sarthe in Angers and so extending his overall lead.

Racing in yellow jersey after winning stage one, Bennati bettered the time of David Millar and David Zabriskie (Garmin-Cervélo), who were separated by only two tenth of a second in favour of the Scotsman.

Bennati rode six seconds faster on the flat and urban 6.8km course. He was also 15 seconds less than last year’s winner Tiago Machado of RadioShack on the same course.

“I was pissed off this morning," Bennati told Cyclingnews after the finish. “I underestimated my adversaries and that’s something a cyclist should never do. I’ve thrown away a win and I was so angry that it gave me extra speed for this afternoon. I’m not a great time trial specialist but I’m in great shape. I gave everything I had.

“I didn’t think I’d win though the course and the distance favoured me. Had it been made of straight roads, it would have been better for Millar but here, coming out of the curves, I was able to sprint and use my good condition.”

However, Millar was adamant that the curves also favoured him. He took them much faster than his teammate Zabriskie, according to the management of the Garmin-Cervélo team.

“I had the feeling that Bennati would do well," Millar told Cyclingnews. “It’s kind of normal that I’m beaten here. I expect to ride much faster when I’m fit. I would have been very surprised if I’d won. I’m really pleased with my result. It puts me back on the right track.”

Bennati was surprised to beat Millar and Zabriskie but is now targeting overall victory. “I’m surprised because this is the first time I’ve won a time trial," Bennati said. “I’m also very happy. I’ve beaten two great specialists today!”

The Italian has a sixteen-second lead on GC over Millar prior to tackling the last two stages that are hillier than the first two but his current form allows him to target the overall victory.

“It won’t be easy to control a bunch of less than 100 riders when everyone wants to attack. The game remains open but it’s all on top of our shoulders but my team is riding well.”